PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO U.S. FLAG

House Bill 4934

Sponsor:  Rep. Kevin Cotter

Committee:  Education

Complete to 6-5-12

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4934 AS INTRODUCED 9-13-11

House Bill 4934 would amend the Revised School Code to require that every school board of a public school district and every board of directors of a charter school ensure that an opportunity to recite the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States is offered each school day to all students in each public school it operates. 

The bill specifies that a student would not be compelled to recite the pledge of allegiance against the student’s objections, or against the objections of the student’s parent or legal guardian.

The bill would also require that a U.S. flag be displayed in each classroom or other instructional site where the pledge of allegiance is offered to students.  Currently, a school district is required under the law to display a U.S. flag (measuring at least 4 feet 2 inches by 8 feet in size) on a flag staff in a prominent and conspicuous place on each public school building or on a conspicuous place on the school grounds. 

MCL 380.1347

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would impose additional costs on districts, intermediate districts, and public school academies to the extent that they would be required to acquire additional U.S. flags in order to have a flag available in each room where the pledge is to be recited.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   J. Hunault

                                                                                                 Fiscal Analysts:   Bethany Wicksall

Mark Wolf

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.