FLORIDA — Calling it a time of reflection, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill that requires public schools to hold at least a minute of silence.
The legislation mandates principals to institute a minute or two of silence for reflection.
Teachers will not be allowed to interfere or suggest how students can participate. However, educators will be required to encourage parents to talk with their children about the best way to use their time.
“It’s something that’s important to be able to provide each student the ability, every day, to be able to reflect and to be able to pray as they see fit,” DeSantis said. “The idea that you can just push God out of every institution, and be successful — I’m sorry, our founding fathers did not believe that.”
Sponsors of bill HB 529 defended the legislation saying it is a time to reflect not a push for religion in schools. However, some representatives accused Republican sponsors of misinterpreting the measure.
DeSantis signed another bill Monday while at a Jewish temple in Surfside, Florida. It allows volunteer ambulance services that are faith-based non-profit organizations to provide basic and advanced life-support services free of charge.
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