S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
6371
I N S E N A T E
January 7, 2016
___________
Introduced by Sen. AMEDORE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to silent meditation in
public schools
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 3029-a of the education law, as added by chapter
1204 of the laws of 1971, is amended to read as follows:
S 3029-a. Silent meditation in public schools. 1. In each public
school classroom, the teacher [in charge may, or if so authorized or
directed by the board of education by which he is employed,] shall, at
the opening of school upon every school day, [conduct] OBSERVE a [brief]
ONE MINUTE period of silent meditation with the participation of all the
pupils therein assembled.
2. The silent meditation authorized by [subsection] SUBDIVISION one of
this [act] SECTION is not intended to be, and shall not be conducted as,
a religious service or exercise, but may be considered as an opportunity
for silent meditation on a religious theme by those who are so disposed,
or a moment of silent reflection on the anticipated activities of the
day. As used in subdivision one of this section the term "partic-
ipation" shall be construed to permit seated participation and not to
require any pupil to stand.
S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11902-01-5