170.341. Hebrew Scriptures and the Bible, offering of elective social studies courses related to — purpose — requirements.

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170.341. Hebrew Scriptures and the Bible, offering of elective social studies courses related to — purpose — requirements. — 1. Any school district or public charter school may offer students elective social studies courses relating, but not limited to, the following:

(1)The Hebrew Scriptures, the Old Testament of the Bible;

(2)The New Testament of the Bible; or

(3)The Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament of the Bible.

2. The purpose of a course under this section is to:

(1)Teach students knowledge of biblical content, characters, poetry, and narratives that are prerequisites to understanding contemporary society and culture, including literature, art, music, mores, oratory, and public policy; and

(2)Familiarize students with, as applicable:

(a)The contents of the Hebrew Scriptures or New Testament;

(b)The history of the Hebrew Scriptures or New Testament;

(c)The literary style and structure of the Hebrew Scriptures or New Testament; and

(d)The influence of the Hebrew Scriptures or New Testament on law, history, government, literature, art, music, customs, morals, values, and culture.

3. A student shall not be required to use a specific translation as the sole text of the Hebrew Scriptures or New Testament and may use as the basic textbook a different translation of the Hebrew Scriptures or New Testament from that chosen by the school district or public charter school.

4. A course offered under this section shall follow applicable law and all federal and state guidelines in maintaining religious neutrality and accommodating the diverse religious views, traditions, and perspectives of students in the school. A course offered under this section shall not endorse, favor, or promote, or disfavor or show hostility toward, any particular religion or nonreligious faith or religious perspective.

5. School districts and public charter schools, in complying with this section, shall not violate any provision of the Constitution of the United States or federal law, the Constitution of Missouri or any state law, or any administrative regulations of the department of elementary and secondary education or the United States Department of Education.

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(L. 2023 S.B. 34)