A bill to require that certain postsecondary educational institutions in this state adopt policies that ensure the reasonable accommodation of sincerely held religious beliefs and practices of students with regard to all examinations and other academic requirements; and to provide for the duties of certain state and local governmental officers and entities.
Mandates the adoption of policies to accommodate students' sincerely held religious beliefs and practices. This includes allowing up to three days of absence per academic term for religious reasons without academic penalty, providing alternative arrangements for exams and other academic requirements missed due to religious observances, and requiring institutions to accept students' religious beliefs without question. The bill also stipulates that institutions must keep requests for accommodations confidential, include a policy statement in course syllabi, and post their accommodation policies and a non-exhaustive list of religious holidays on their websites, accompanied by a statement ensuring accommodations for any sincerely held religious belief or practice. Additionally, the policy must include contact information for further inquiries and a procedure for students to report grievances regarding the policy's implementation.
Co-sponsored by Reps.
Referred to the Committee on Education
