Governor Signs Religious Garb Bill Despite Concerns

By Chris Lehman | April 1, 2010 12:36 p.m. | Updated: June 16, 2010 11:56 p.m. | Salem, OR

Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski signed a bill Thursday that allows public school teachers to wear religious clothing in the classroom. He did so despite his own concerns about how the measure will be applied.Oregon is one of a handful of states that bans public school teachers from expressing their religious beliefs at school in the form of clothing or other apparel.That could include a Muslim headscarf, a Sikh turban or a Christian-themed T-shirt.Groups that wanted the ban overturned said it was outdated and trampled on the religious rights of teachers. Governor Ted Kulongoski said he's concerned that school districts will have different interpretations of what will be allowed under the bill. But he signed it anyway, after directing state labor and education officials to develop uniform guidelines for all districts to use. “I think all of us understand that we don't want one part of the state doing one thing and some other part doing another," he said.Some groups, including the Oregon ACLU, objected to the bill. They said that students have the right to attend class in a religiously neutral environment. Read the Legislation: Oregon House Bill 3686

© 2010 Northwest News Network

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