Legislation that would have permitted students to participate in prayer and religious activities during the school day in Mississippi failed to gain enough support to advance during the 2026 legislative session.
The bill, known as the Open to Religion Act, would have directed the state attorney general to defend school districts from lawsuits related to allowing prayer on campus. Multiple bills carrying similar language—HB 1310, SB 2301, and SB 2514—were filed in both legislative chambers but did not move forward.
Under the proposed law, students could opt in to religious activities in classrooms, gymnasiums, outdoor areas, or other school grounds not occupied by other students. The bill specified activities could not take place during scheduled class times or ongoing lessons and would have permitted all religious beliefs.
Democratic lawmakers expressed concerns that the measure might introduce students to religions outside those supported by their parents and potentially violate federal law. The U.S. Department of Education recently clarified that students, teachers, and staff have the right to pray individually in school but that schools cannot sponsor or pressure students to pray.
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon emphasized the importance of protecting religious exercise rights in schools, stating, “The Constitution safeguards the free exercise of religion as one of the guiding principles of our republic.”
State Rep. Jansen Owen, a Republican supporter of the bill, told Magnolia Tribune he hopes the legislation will be reconsidered in 2027. Owen expressed disappointment that the bill did not advance this year, stating, “The First Amendment does not stop at the schoolhouse door, and I’ll continue to fight for students’ right to practice their faith during school hours.”
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
