Governor Josh Shapiro last week signed into law a bill that repeals a section of Pennsylvania’s school code that forbade the wearing of clothing or items carrying religious symbols and held the school district liable for failing to enforce the restriction. The bill stemmed from a court case that originated in Indiana County in 2003.
Brenda Nichol, who at the time was employed by ARIN Intermediate Unit and was working at Penns Manor Elementary School, was suspended by ARIN for wearing a necklace with a cross on it. She filed suit in federal court and won her case, but the law banning the display of religious symbols remained on the books until the State Senate voted 49-0 and the House voted 201-1 to approve the bill co-sponsored by Senators Kristen Phillips-Hill, a Republican, and Senator Judy Schwank, a Democrat, removing the restriction, and Governor Shapiro signed it into law last Monday.
Pennsylvania was the last remaining state with a law banning the wearing of religious symbols. The new law will take effect in sixty days.
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