Louisiana has become the first state to mandate the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. The new law, signed by Governor Jeff Landry, originated from House Bill 71 and was officially enacted during a press conference on education. This move will also authorize, though not require, schools to display historic documents such as the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, and the Northwest Ordinance.
The passage of this bill drew upon precedents set by the US Supreme Court cases, American Legion v. American Humanists Association and Van Orden v. Perry. In Van Orden, the Court held that the Establishment Clause under the First Amendment does not necessarily prohibit government actions with religious contexts. The American Legion case reaffirmed this, ruling that a memorial cross did not violate this clause.
The bill passed the Louisiana House with a significant majority, with 79 yeas to 16 nays, and was signed into law shortly thereafter. Governor Landry highlighted the significance of this legislative act by emphasizing educational reform and the importance of foundational documents in student education.
However, the law has raised constitutional concerns and sparked likely legal contests. Organizations such as the Freedom From Religion Foundation have voiced their opposition, and Governor Landry himself acknowledged the likelihood of legal challenges, reportedly stating, “I can’t wait to be sued.”
Notably, similar legislative efforts in states like Texas and Oklahoma have faced substantial barriers. Moreover, the implementation in Louisiana will rely on donated posters, as no state funds have been allocated for this purpose. For an in-depth report, refer to JURIST.