First, the setup…
Public school students would be required to observe a moment of silence under legislation the Senate passed Wednesday, giving lawmakers a chance to work around constitutional prohibitions against school prayer. […]
The legislation would require schools to have a moment of silence at the beginning of every school day for kindergarten through high school students. The measure would change current law, which merely allows schools to have a moment of silence. That has created some schools in which some teachers allow the quiet period while others don’t.
“It is a neutral act, which affords students the opportunity to reflect upon whatever they wish, whether religious or not,” said Sen. Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood), the sponsor. […]
Sen. Dan Rutherford (R-Chenoa), the lone opponent, said the legislation was unnecessary because schools already have a right to hold a moment of silence and schools don’t need government telling them what to do.
To the question: Is this bill necessary?