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A bill that the sponsor says would protect religious freedom for Kentucky's teachers is taking its first steps.

House Bill 547 would allow school faculty and staff to engage in religious expression.

Our K.C.

Parker bill breaks down what legislators have to say about the bill.

House Bill 547 is a bill that protects the faculty and staff religious freedom in the public schools.

The bill that allows public school employees to engage in religious expression moved out of a House committee today.

House Bill 547 would allow faculty and staff to share religious materials with other employees and participate in prayer during breaks or lunch.

But some legislators had questions about the need for the bill, including Louisville Representative Tim Tebow.

Genachowski.

Why do we need this legislation and why isn't it already covered with the First Amendment?

Truthfully, we should not have to have this legislation, but because of outside groups that come from out of state atheist groups that would protest prayer before a football game.

Representative Kevin Jackson, an educator and a Republican from Bowling Green, voted in favor of the bill, but he says he's worried about the pressures being put on teachers.

And I just worry sometimes if we're going to give our teachers and our schools and our educators so many different things that they have to keep up with, that we're going to continue to have a shortage of educators in the state of Kentucky.

The bill's sponsor, Chris Fugate, says the bill was brought after the Supreme Court ruled on Kennedy versus Bremerton School district.

Football coach Joseph Kennedy sued Bremerton for violating his First Amendment rights after being given direction on his prayers at the 50 yard line after games.

But the ACLU's Kate Miller says the bill is broader than the Supreme Court's ruling.

School districts could potentially see increased litigation as a result of students or families.

You know, having House Bill 547 as Kentucky state law and then, of course, having a different set of rules under the United States and Kentucky Constitution.

For Kentucky Edition, I'm K.C.

Parker.

Vote House Bill 547 also states that no one should be required to participate in religious activities.

The House Education Committee also passed Senate Bill 49, which would extend the period to acquire alternative teaching certifications.