On Tuesday the Arkansas Senate passed S.B. 223, the Religious Rights at Public Schools Act of 2025.
This good bill by Sen. Mark Johnson (R — Little Rock) and Rep. Alyssa Brown (R — Heber Springs) affirms public school students’ and teachers’ religious liberties.
S.B. 223 does not create any new rights or liberties. It simply provides public schools and students with an outline of existing religious freedoms — such as the right to pray or discuss religion during free time at school, and public schools’ ability to offer academic courses on the Bible under state laws passed in 2013 and 2019.
The bill also ensures public schools and public school students are informed about how religious liberty is protected under state and federal law. This will help prevent schools from squelching anyone’s religious liberties.
When it comes to religious liberty, public schools have been a battleground for more than 60 years. It’s important that we stand up for religious freedom at school. S.B. 223 is a good bill that helps do exactly that.
The bill now goes to the Arkansas House of Representatives for consideration. Below is an overview of how each senator voted on S.B. 223.
The Following Senators Voted FOR S.B. 223
- J. Boyd
- J. Bryant
- A. Clark
- Crowell
- B. Davis
- Dees
- J. Dotson
- J. English
- Flippo
- Gilmore
- K. Hammer
- Hester
- Hill
- B. Johnson
- M. Johnson
- B. King
- M. McKee
- J. Payton
- C. Penzo
- J. Petty
- Rice
- Stone
- G. Stubblefield
- D. Sullivan
- D. Wallace
The Following Senators Voted AGAINST S.B. 223
- S. Flowers
- Hickey
- Irvin
- G. Leding
- F. Love
- R. Murdock
- J. Scott
- C. Tucker
The Following Senators Did Not Vote
- Caldwell
- J. Dismang
