A Senate-approved bill to allow teachers to pray with students during the school day is close to final passage after clearing the House Education Committee. Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti says the legislation would require that all students present have a signed form from their parents before the teachers can participate in the student initiated prayer.
But the bill received opposition from people who were concerned about the constitutional ramifications of allowing a public official to lead a religious ceremony.
Southern University Constitutional Law Professor Michelle Ghetti opposed the legislation, posing a hypothetical where a group of students and teachers got permission to conduct a “Wican” ritual.
Legislation that would set up statewide rules for ride-sharing services and expand Uber and Lyft to rural areas has died in a Senate committee for a second straight year. Jeff Palermo has more.
And those looking to get hitched quick are in luck, a bill is on its way to the governor’s desk for signature that would reduce the wait time for marriages from 72 to 24 hours, but under current law a judge or justice of the peace can waive the waiting period. The legislation by Carencro Representative Julie Emerson would go into effect August 1st if signed.