Aargh.

Priorities. Another skirmish in the War on Christmas ™.

A bill, filed today:

HB 696
Allows school districts to display on school property scenes or symbols associated with traditional winter and spring celebrations
Sponsor: Kelly, Hannah (141)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2017
LR Number: 1246H.03I
Last Action: 01/23/2017 – Introduced and Read First Time (H)
Bill String: HB 696
Next Hearing: Hearing not scheduled
Calendar: HOUSE BILLS FOR SECOND READING
[….]

Break out your colanders for a march on the capitol in Jefferson City.

The bill text:

FIRST REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE BILL NO. 696 [pdf]
99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE KELLY (141).
1246H.03I D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk

AN ACT

To amend chapter 171, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to the treatment of traditional celebrations by school districts.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 171, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 171.023, to read as follows:
171.023. 1. A school district may educate students about the history of traditional winter and spring celebrations and allow students and district staff to offer traditional greetings regarding the celebrations, including:
(1) Merry Christmas;
(2) Happy Hanukkah;
(3) Happy holidays; and
(4) Happy Easter.
2. Subject to the requirements under subsection of this section, a school district may display on school property scenes and symbols associated with traditional winter and spring celebrations, including a menorah or a Christmas image such as a nativity scene or Christmas tree, if the display includes a scene or symbol of:
(1) More than one religion; or
(2) One religion and at least one secular scene or symbol.
3. (1) A display relating to a traditional winter or spring celebration shall not include a message that encourages adherence to a particular religious belief.
(2) Any display relating to a traditional winter or spring celebration shall be paid for without public funds and be open to the inclusion of items offered by individuals or organizations in accordance with the constitutional requirements of a limited public forum.
(3) Any scene or symbol relating to a traditional winter or spring celebration shall be displayed in a manner so as not to violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States.

[emphasis in original]

Will Jewish students and teachers in public schools be able to commemorate Passover blood libel pogroms? Just asking.

Previously:

HB 1425: Merry Chrismahanakwanzukah (January 11, 2010)

HB 198: Merry Chrismahanakwanzukah redux (January 9, 2011)

HB 424: Merry Chrismahanakwanzukah – this time, with more feeling (February 9, 2011)

HB 1109: because the contrived right wingnut “War on [the holiday season]” supersedes any sense (December 27, 2011)

HB 278: on the side of preening self-righteousness in the “War on Labor Day” (January 26, 2013)

SB 554: Chrismahanakwanzukah! (December 3, 2013)

You get the picture.