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SB 114

AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY THREE RIVERS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.

2025 Regular Session

Senate Bill 114 aimed to allow public schools to display the Ten Commandments, promoting religious education, but it died in process amid legal concerns and public debate.

Notification that SB114 is now Act 69
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Bill Summary · SB 114

Summary of Senate Bill 114 (SB 114)

Bill Overview

  • Bill Number: SB 114
  • Title: Provide for display of Ten Commandments in public schools
  • Status: Died in Process
  • Introduced: February 28, 2025
  • Subject: Religion, Schools and Education

Purpose and Intent

Senate Bill 114 aimed to authorize the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools across the state. The bill sought to promote religious education and moral values among students by allowing schools to display these religious texts in classrooms and other school facilities.

Key Provisions

  • Display Authorization: The bill proposed that public schools be permitted to display the Ten Commandments prominently in classrooms and other school areas.
  • Educational Context: The intent was to present the Ten Commandments as part of a broader educational curriculum that includes discussions on historical and cultural significance.
  • Legal Compliance: The bill included provisions to ensure that the display would comply with existing laws regarding the separation of church and state, aiming to avoid potential legal challenges.

Affected Parties

  • Public Schools: The primary institutions affected would be public schools within the state, which would need to implement the display if the bill were enacted.
  • Students and Parents: The bill would impact students by potentially introducing religious content into their educational environment, which may be welcomed by some and opposed by others.
  • Legal and Educational Authorities: School boards and educational authorities would need to navigate the legal implications of the bill, ensuring compliance with constitutional mandates.

Procedural Aspects

  • Legislative Journey: The bill was introduced in the Senate and referred to the Resources and Finance committees for consideration. However, it ultimately did not progress through the legislative process and was marked as "Died in Process."
  • Timeline: The bill was introduced on February 28, 2025, and did not advance beyond committee discussions before its status was recorded as dead.

Conclusion

Senate Bill 114 represented an effort to integrate religious teachings into public education through the display of the Ten Commandments. While it aimed to foster moral education, the bill faced significant scrutiny regarding its alignment with constitutional principles and the separation of church and state. Ultimately, the bill did not advance, reflecting ongoing debates about the role of religion in public education.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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