Opinion
By Robert, Goodman Freedom Chronicles
12/15/25
On Friday December 12th, 2025 Florida Rep. Chase Tramont (R-Port Orange) has filed a bold constitutional amendment that could reshape how religious expression is treated in classrooms across the state. HJR 583, if approved by the Legislature and then by 60 % of voters, would add Section 33 to Article X of the Florida Constitution and enshrine protections for students, parents, and school personnel regarding religious expression in public schools.
Here’s what the amendment says in its own language:
Proposed amendment to Article X of the Florida constitution (HJR 583)
SECTION 33. Religious expression in public schools.
(a) A school district may not discriminate against a student, parent, or school personnel on the basis of a religious viewpoint or religious expression. A school district shall treat a student’s voluntary expression of a religious viewpoint on an otherwise permissible subject in the same manner that the school district treats a student’s voluntary expression of a secular viewpoint.
(b) A public school must allow:
(1) A student to express his or her religious beliefs in coursework, artwork, and other written and oral assignments free from discrimination…
(2) A student to wear clothing, accessories, and jewelry that display a religious message or symbol in the same manner and to the same extent that secular types of clothing, accessories, and jewelry that display messages or symbols are allowed…
(3) A student to pray or engage in religious activities or expression before, during, and after the school day in the same manner and to the same extent that a student may engage in secular activities…
(4) School personnel to participate in religious activities on school grounds which are initiated by students at reasonable times before or after the school day if such activities are voluntary and do not conflict with professional responsibilities. …
(c) Without supporting or discouraging student prayer, each public school must require teachers in first-period classrooms in all grades to set aside at least one minute, but not more than two minutes, daily for a moment of silence, during which a student may not interfere with other students’ participation.
(d) Each high school participating in a championship contest or series of contests must have the opportunity to make brief opening remarks, if requested by the school, using the public address system at the event. Remarks may include student-led or school personnel-led prayer, may not be derogatory, rude, or threatening, and may not be longer than two minutes per school.
Read the full article here: https://robertgoodman.substack.com/p/protecting-religious-expression-in?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=1434629&post_id=181730588&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=c6m0f&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email
The views expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Citizens Journal Florida
