Title 17. Education

Chapter 1. General School Law

Part III. Public Schools and School Children

Subpart D-1. Permitted Courses of Study

17:282      History and literature of the Bible; high schools

A. Each public school governing authority may offer an elective high school course in the history and literature of the Bible for the purposes of: 

(1) Providing students with knowledge of biblical content, characters, poetry, and narratives that are prerequisites to understanding contemporary society and culture, including literature, art, music, mores, oratory, and public policy. 

(2) Familiarizing students with the content, history, and structure of the Bible and the influence of the Bible on law, history, government, literature, art, music, customs, morals, values, and culture. 

B. If such a course is offered: 

(1) No student shall be required to use a particular translation of the Bible as the textbook for the course. 

(2) The course shall maintain religious neutrality and accommodate diverse religious views, traditions, and perspectives. 

(3) The course shall not endorse, promote, favor, disfavor, or show hostility toward any particular religion or any nonreligious perspective. 

C. The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall adopt rules in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act for the implementation of this Section. 

D. In carrying out the provisions of this Section, neither the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education nor any public school governing authority shall violate any provision of the United States Constitution or any federal law, the Constitution of Louisiana or any state law, or any regulation of the United States Department of Education. 

Added by Acts 2023, No. 215, § 2