Louisiana bill would require schools to display Ten Commandments

The Louisiana House of Representatives on Tuesday sent to the governor’s desk a bill that would mandate state-funded schools to display the Ten Commandments. If Republican Gov. Jeff Landry signs House Bill 71, public schools and even nonpublic schools that receive some state funds would be required to hang a copy of the Ten Commandments in every building and classroom. The bill applies to elementary, secondary, and postsecondary schools. As a law, it would likely be immediately challenged in court.

Is there any precedent for this? Louisiana would be the first state to require schools to display the Ten Commandments, although other states like Texas have tried to enact similar legislation. Since 2023, Louisiana has required the motto “In God We Trust” to be displayed in its public schools.

How would the Ten Commandments be displayed? The bill says each copy of the Ten Commandments should be on a poster or framed document at least 11 by 14 inches. The text should be the central focus of the poster or document and should be in a large, easily readable font, according to the bill. The bill also specifies the exact wording of the Ten Commandments to be displayed.

When is the deadline for the bill to be signed? The legislative session ends at 6 p.m. June 3. If Landry does not sign by then, the bill will not become law.