Lawmakers plan student prayer bill in Alabama; concerns raised over constitutionality | AL.com

Hemant Mehta over at Friendly Atheist has a good take on the recent asshatery in Alabama comparing this brilliant legislative move to what occurred in North Carolina earlier this year.

For those unfamiliar N Carolina passed SB 370:

AN ACT TO CLARIFY STUDENT RIGHTS TO ENGAGE IN PRAYER AND RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY IN SCHOOL, TO CREATE AN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS FOR REMEDYING COMPLAINTS REGARDING EXERCISE OF THOSE STUDENT RIGHTS, AND TO CLARIFY RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY FOR SCHOOL PERSONNEL.

A point that Hemant highlights in regards to SB 370 is also present in the Alabama version:

Local boards of education may not prohibit school personnel from participating in religious activities on school grounds that are initiated by students at reasonable times before or after the instructional day so long as such activities are voluntary for all parties and do not conflict with the responsibilities or assignments of such personnel.

So, yea OK, let's waste taxpayer money on a piece of unneeded legislation to protect rights that are already protected.

Lawmakers plan student prayer bill in Alabama; concerns raised over constitutionality | AL.com