Today, Governor Eric Holcomb announced his intent to sign House Enrolled Act 1024, titled Prayer in School, into law.
During the 2017 legislative session JCRC continued its long history of advocating for a clear separation of Church and State by actively opposing this legislation and testifying in opposition in front of both the House and Senate Education Committees.
After several powerful testimonies by leaders and clergy from the Jewish community, and as a result of the JCRC engaging and educating numerous individual legislators, the bill was substantially amended to remove language that would have been unconstitutional, challenged the separation of church and state, and opened public school districts to widespread litigation.
Although an unnecessary addition to Indiana statute, House Enrolled Act 1024 in its amended form simply reaffirms existing practice (already protected) for religious accommodation in public schools, and is consistent with current law and court precedents.