By a 51-8 margin yesterday, the Oregon State House voted to repeal a decades-old ban prohibiting teachers from wearing religious attire in the classroom.
HB 3686 now heads to the Senate for consideration. If passed there and signed by the governor — which is expected — the bill will repeal a 1923 law banning public school teachers from wearing religious clothing in a public school.
“Abolishing this law will recognize that we can allow people to adhere to their religious faith and ensure that our public schools maintain religious neutrality in our schools,” said Rep.Sara Gelser, D-Corvallis, chairwoman of the House Education Committee.
The Baptist Joint Committee and other groups had urged the legislature to overturn the rule.
