Owen Donohoe - Kansas State Representative 39th District

News

Rep. Owen Donohoe Introduces
Bill Of Rights For Religious Liberty In Schools

Kansas Representative Owen Donohoe (R-Shawnee) has introduced a bill that establishes a bill of rights for students of public schools that outlines existing inalienable rights of religious expression.

The Religious Liberty Bill of Rights, HB 2779, declares that a public school student has an inalienable right to express religious beliefs on a public school campus to the same extent as a person expressing personal secular viewpoints. The bill also acknowledges a student's right to express his or her religious beliefs as part of a school assignment if the expression meets the educational purpose of the assignment.

See how HB 2779 clarifies the misunderstanding about religious freedom of expression in schools

Read the legislation here >>

Read the Teacher's
Guide to Religion in Public Schools >>

Rep. Donohoe's proposed bill aims to provide educators and students the opportunity to exercise their first amendment rights in public schools. Teachers and students have expressed concern about their inability to discuss a religious topic in a public school, even for historical or literary purposes.

"Students and teachers should have inalienable rights to discuss any religious topic in school if it meets the educational purpose of the assignment," says Rep. Donohoe. "This bill assures them that they can express or discuss religious topics in a fair manner at school."

Conversely, the bill declares that teachers not be required to teach a topic that violates the teacher's religious beliefs and not be disciplined for refusing to teach the topic. The bill is designed to promote fairness and freedom of speech on school campuses, and foster a sense of respect and tolerance for various religious beliefs.

"This bill reflects the spirit of the U.S. Constitution," asserts Rep. Donohoe. "It merely assures freedom of expression and speech on public school campuses for students and teachers. Unfortunately, teachers and students are living in fear of being disciplined for expressing their first amendment rights in the very place where they should be sharing teachings and learning about U.S. Constitutional rights."

For example, the Religious Liberty Bill of Rights provides public school teachers with the right to answer a student's question on a religious topic or teach the religious origin of a holiday, within the context of historical or literary purposes, according to Rep. Donohoe.

Rep. Donohoe represents the 39th District in Kansas, which includes Basehor, Bonner Springs, western Shawnee and portions of Leavenworth.