Arizona governor signs bill giving students time to pray or meditate

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed a bill on Tuesday that mandates a moment of silence at the beginning of every school day.

House Bill 2707, introduced by state Rep. Alma Hernandez (D), requires schools set aside one to two minutes at the beginning of each school day where students cannot be interfere with each other.

“As we’re working to get Arizona kids refocused in the classroom, we should also work to get them refocused emotionally,” said Ducey, a Republican, in a statement.

“That’s exactly what H.B. 2707 does, ensuring all schools set aside time every day for students to engage in a moment of silence. This gives our kids the opportunity to take time to remember, reflect, meditate, pray, prepare for the day ahead or anything they—and their parents—choose.”

Arizona kids deserve the opportunity to take time every day at school to reflect, meditate, pray, prepare for the day ahead or anything they—and their parents—choose. H.B. 2707 will make that happen. 1/ https://t.co/4hUtLfmX5r pic.twitter.com/Oiq4R9xQNn

— Doug Ducey (@DougDucey) April 12, 2022

The law bars teachers from suggesting the nature of the reflection students are engaged in and encourages parents to discuss how to best use the moment of silence with their children.

The governor was joined by Hernandez, House Speaker Rusty Bowers (R) and community and religious leaders.

Hernandez specifically thanked Arizona’s Jewish community. The bill’s signing coincided with the 120th birthday of the late Rabbi Menachem Mendel Scheerson, who had pushed for a moment of silence at a school and the inspiration behind the bill.

Thank you to those who supported my bill it’s officially off to @DougDucey desk! pic.twitter.com/2labexFcVB

— (((Rep.Alma Hernandez,MPH)))💉😷 (@almaforarizona) April 6, 2022

“Giving students a moment every school day to pray, gather their thoughts, reflect or anything they choose to do will help them focus and strengthen their mental and emotional health,” Hernandez said.

“Thank you to the members of the Jewish community who advocated for this legislation, everyone who played a role in getting it passed by the legislature, and to Governor Ducey for signing it into law.”