22.1-203 - Daily observance of one minute of silence. - Virginia Statutes

§ 22.1-203. Daily observance of one minute of silence.

In order that the right of every pupil to the free exercise of religion beguaranteed within the schools and that the freedom of each individual pupilbe subject to the least possible pressure from the Commonwealth either toengage in, or to refrain from, religious observation on school grounds, theschool board of each school division shall establish the daily observance ofone minute of silence in each classroom of the division.

During such one-minute period of silence, the teacher responsible for eachclassroom shall take care that all pupils remain seated and silent and makeno distracting display to the end that each pupil may, in the exercise of hisor her individual choice, meditate, pray, or engage in any other silentactivity which does not interfere with, distract, or impede other pupils inthe like exercise of individual choice.

The Office of the Attorney General shall intervene and shall provide legaldefense of this law.

(Code 1950, § 22-234.1; 1976, c. 103; 1980, c. 559; 2000, c. 1022.)