When Oregon passed its Workplace Religious Freedom Act, many were unhappy that it specifically left in place a longstanding ban on religious clothing for public school teachers. When the legislature convenes in the Spring, a bill with broad support among religious communities is expected to address the situation.
[House Speaker Dave] Hunt said the old law has a modern-day impact. Some Muslim and Sikh Oregonians have been told in recent years that they can't apply for teaching jobs or can teach only if they remove their head coverings, he said.
Hunt said he will push to "allow teachers to have the same religious free exercise rights as every other Oregonian."
The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon, which has long supported the ban on teachers' wearing of religious clothing, said the Legislature should not end it without enacting additional protections for Oregon students.
