Bill Text: NH HB1712 | 2012 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relative to the teaching of the Bible in public schools.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 5-0)
Status: (Failed) 2012-03-15 - House Inexpedient to Legislate: Motion Adopted Division Vote 284-5; House Journal 26, PG.1643 [HB1712 Detail]
Download: New_Hampshire-2012-HB1712-Introduced.html
HB 1712 – AS INTRODUCED
2012 SESSION
04/05
HOUSE BILL 1712
AN ACT relative to the teaching of the Bible in public schools.
SPONSORS: Rep. Bergevin, Hills 17; Rep. DeLemus, Straf 1; Rep. Itse, Rock 9; Rep. S. Tremblay, Rock 3; Rep. Kingsbury, Belk 4
This bill requires the state board of education to establish an elective bible literacy course for pupils in grades 9-12.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
12-2016
04/05
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twelve
AN ACT relative to the teaching of the Bible in public schools.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Intent and Justification. The general court finds that New Hampshire Republicans are united by our belief in God, individual liberty, personal responsibility, places of worship, communities, and volunteerism. The general court also finds and recognizes the history of our country, from the Mayflower Compact, Revolutionary War, the Federalist Papers, and other speeches and writings of our Founding Fathers, is rooted in the belief in God and the teachings of the Bible.
2 New Subparagraph; State Board of Education; Duties. Amend RSA 186:11 by inserting after subparagraph XXXVI the following new subparagraph:
XXXVII. Bible Literacy Course.
(a) Adopt rules pursuant to RSA 541-A to establish an elective social studies course in teaching the Bible as a work of literature for pupils in grades 9-12. The rules shall include:
(1) An elective social studies course on the Hebrew Scriptures, Old Testament of the Bible;
(2) An elective social studies course on the New Testament of the Bible; or
(3) An elective social studies course on the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament of the Bible.
(b) The purpose of the course shall be to:
(1) Teach students knowledge of biblical content, characters, poetry, and narratives that are prerequisites to understanding contemporary society and culture, including literature, art, music, morals, oratory, and public policy; and
(2) Familiarize students with, as applicable:
(A) The contents of the Hebrew Scriptures or New Testament;
(B) The history of the Hebrew Scriptures or New Testament;
(C) The literary style and structure of the Hebrew Scriptures or New Testament; and
(D) The influence of the Hebrew Scriptures or New Testament on law, history, government, literature, art, music, customs, morals, values, and culture.
(c) A student shall not be required to use a specific translation as the sole text of the Hebrew Scriptures or New Testament and may use as the basic textbook a different translation of the Hebrew Scriptures or New Testament from that chosen by the school or school district.
(d) Such course shall comply with applicable law and all federal and state guidelines in maintaining religious neutrality and accommodating the diverse religious views, traditions, and perspectives of students in the school. A course developed under this subparagraph shall not endorse, favor, promote, disfavor, or show hostility toward, any particular religion or nonreligious faith or religious perspective. The state board of education shall not violate any provision of the United States Constitution or federal law, the New Hampshire constitution or any state law, or any administrative regulations of the United States Department of Education or the New Hampshire department of education.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
