Oregon Legislature Passes Bill Repealing Prohibition on Religious Dress By Public School Teachers
The Oregon State Legislature took one large step toward ending Oregon’s longtime ban on religious dress by public school teachers this week when it passed HB 3686. Current Oregon law prohibits public school teachers from wearing any religious dress while engaged in the performance of duties as a school teacher. If signed into law, HB 3686 would repeal that ban.
According to reports, Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski has not expressed concerns about the bill as he normally would if he believed it were flawed, but he has not decided whether he will sign the bill into law.
The Oregonian reports that Oregon is one of only three states that presently ban religious dress by public school teachers–a ban which apparently started in 1923 to keep Catholic nuns out of public schools. While there have been no complaints about a teacher’s dress in decades, lawmakers predict litigation will ensue if the ban on religious dress is lifted.
The ban on religious dress by teachers is codified at ORS 342.650.
