FRANKFORT, KY – The Family Foundation applauds Rep. Chris Fugate, the bill’s sponsor, and the House chamber for the passage of House Bill 547. The bill now heads to the Kentucky Senate.
HB 547 protects the First Amendment rights of teachers and school employees in light of the U.S. Supreme Court 6-3 decision in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District upholding America’s first right of religious freedom last year.
Statement from David Walls, executive director of The Family Foundation:
“The passage of HB 547 is a win for religious freedom and for the First Amendment rights of teachers and school employees across the Commonwealth. As the U.S. Supreme Court made clear in the Coach Kennedy decision, no American should ever be fired by the government for exercising their private religious expression, including saying a prayer.
“HB 547 helps protect against out-of-state special interest groups who demand that schools adopt inaccurate interpretations of the First Amendment that unlawfully restrict the freedom of students and teachers. The exercise of First Amendment rights on public school campuses in Kentucky is a critical component of the education of our students,” concluded Walls.
In June of 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 6-3 decision in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District upholding America’s first right of religious freedom. The Family Foundation filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in favor of Coach Joseph Kennedy, who was fired from a public school in Washington State after he prayed briefly at the 50-yard line.
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The Family Foundation is the leading Christian public policy organization in Kentucky and stands for Kentucky families and the Biblical values that make them strong. Learn more at kentuckyfamily.org.
