2011 House Bill 4934 / 2012 Public Act 321

Require school Pledge of Allegiance recitation

Introduced in the House

Sept. 13, 2011

Introduced by Rep. Kevin Cotter (R-99)

To require classes in public schools to recite the Pledge of Allegiance each day. The bill would prohibit compelling a student to recite the pledge. Also, to require all public schools to have erect a flagstaff in a conspicuous place. An existing law already requires that they "display" the American flag.

Referred to the Committee on Education

June 6, 2012

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Sept. 12, 2012

Substitute offered

The substitute failed by voice vote

Substitute offered by Rep. Kevin Cotter (R-99)

To adopt a version of the bill that only has the pledge provision, with the flag provision now in Senate Bill 637.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Jeff Irwin (D-53)

To require public school districts to notify parents and children each year they have the right to object to saying the pledge of allegiance in class.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Vicki Barnett (D-37)

To require online charter "cyberschools" to offer students an opportunity to recite the pledge of allegiance each school day.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Passed in the House 103 to 5 (details)

To require classes in public schools to recite the Pledge of Allegiance each day. The bill would prohibit compelling a student to recite the pledge.

Received in the Senate

Sept. 13, 2012

Referred to the Committee of the Whole

Sept. 20, 2012

Passed in the Senate 36 to 2 (details)

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

Oct. 5, 2012