Public K-12 education; Pledge of Allegiance required each day, local boards of education required to vote whether to adopt policy allowing daily prayer and reading of religious text, constitutional amendment

HB 43 proposes a constitutional amendment for Alabama public K-12 schools requiring daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of each school day. It also mandates that local school boards vote within 90 days of ratification on whether to allow optional daily prayer or Bible readings, with participation requiring signed consent forms from students or parents. The bill prohibits non-consenting individuals from being present during these activities and requires schools to avoid substituting them for instructional time. Violations - such as failing to implement the pledge or the prayer vote - could trigger a 25% reduction in state education funding for the affected school district.