Florida weighs constitutional amendment to protect religion in schools   

The Florida Legislature is considering a constitutional amendment to protect religious expression in public schools. 

House Joint Resolution 583 – and its Senate counterpart S1104 – would amend the Florida State Constitution to say public schools “may not discriminate against a student, parent, or school personnel on the basis of a religious viewpoint or religious expression.” 

It continues, “A school district shall treat a student’s voluntary expression of a religious viewpoint on an otherwise permissible subject in the same manner that the school district treats a student’s voluntary expression of a secular viewpoint.” 

Such expression would include answers to homework assignments, clothing or accessories, and a student’s right to pray individually or organize religious groups. 

“Protecting religious liberty and expression is arguabl[y] the most necessary thing to do,” said Rep. Chase Tramont, R-Port Orange, one of the sponsors of HJR 583. “My goal here is to offer an opportunity for people to take action to give it the utmost amount of protection.” 

However, one Democrat opponent accused the Republican-led amendment of trying to “push Christianity.” 

“Folks talk about us actually having religious freedoms but that is not the case,” said Rep. Angie Nixon, D-Jacksonville, who voted against the measure. “They’re pushing or they want to outline things like religious freedoms in legislation and policy, but that’s not the case. They really just want to push Christianity.” 

Nevertheless, HJR 583 was approved by a subcommittee and is being considered by the House’s Education & Employment Committee. 

If the amendment passes both chambers with a three-fifths majority, it will be placed on the 2026 ballot for a general vote in November. Then, it requires another three-fifths majority from all Floridians before becoming law. 

While the U.S. Constitution already protects religious speech and exercise, state measures can specify and strengthen these protections. 

“Unfortunately, students continue to get harassed for simply expressing their beliefs, either in their coursework, their clothing, praying in schools,” observed John Labriola, representative of Florida’s Christian Family Coalition. 

One high-profile incident of such discrimination occurred in December, when an Oklahoma college student was flunked for writing about gender from a Biblical perspective. 

“I was asked to read an article and give my opinion on the article, and the article was about gender binary and mental health and gender stereotypes,” explained Samantha Fulnecky, a pre-med student. 

“I very clearly stated my beliefs and stated what – not just my beliefs – but what the Bible and what God says about gender and about those roles,” Fulnecky continued. “I definitely think that I was being punished for what I believe.” 

Another recent case involved New York high school student Sabrina Steffans, who was told she couldn’t decorate her reserved parking spot with Christian imagery and Bible verses. 

Steffans ended up suing her school for violating her religious freedom and won. 

“Because the school permits various forms of secular personal student expression, the school’s policy prohibiting Ms. Steffans from expressing her connection to particular scripture references violates her constitutional rights to free speech and free exercise of religion,” her legal representation said.