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1 Powers and Duties of School Districts; New Hampshire School Patriot Act. Amend RSA 194:15-c, II and III to read as follows:
II. A school district shall authorize a period of time during the school day for the recitation of the pledge of allegiance. Pupil participation in the recitation of the pledge of allegiance shall be voluntary.
III. Pupils not participating in the recitation of the pledge of allegiance may silently stand or remain seated but shall be required to respect the rights of those pupils electing to participate. If this paragraph shall be declared to be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, the remaining paragraphs in this section shall not be affected, and shall continue in full force and effect.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
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1 Powers and Duties of School Districts; New Hampshire School Patriot Act. Amend RSA 194:15-c, II and III to read as follows:
II. A school district may authorize a period of time during the school day for the recitation of the pledge of allegiance. Pupil participation in the recitation of the pledge of allegiance shall be voluntary.
III. Pupils not participating in the recitation of the pledge of allegiance shall be required to respect the rights of those pupils electing to participate. Pupils and other individuals electing to participate shall be required to respect the rights of those not participating. If this paragraph shall be declared to be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, the remaining paragraphs in this section shall not be affected, and shall continue in full force and effect.
IV. No student shall be excluded from any academic, athletic, or extra-curricular activity merely for refusal to participate in the pledge of allegiance or other patriotic ceremony.
V. Participation by teachers, coaches, staff members, or other adults present in school shall be voluntary.
VI. Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing schools from disciplining disruptive pupils.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.