State Senate passes student-athlete religious expression bill

ATLANTA - The controversy over a cross country runner disqualified from November's state championship has spilled into the state capitol.

Thursday the state senate approved a bill that would allow athletes to wear clothing expressing their religious beliefs during competition.

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"They should not be punished for expressing their certain beliefs, whether it be Christian, Judaism, or whatever their religion might be," said Senator Burt Jones, R - Jackson.

Jones said he drafted the bill as a response to what happened to West Forsyth High School runner John Green. Green finished third in the Georgia High School Association championship, but was disqualified for wearing a headband that had "Isaiah 40:31" embroidered on it. GHSA policy prohibits student-athletes from competing while wearing any personal messages.

"We don't need to wait.  We need to provide student-athletes with this relief now," said Sen. Josh McKoon, R- Columbus, who spoke in support of the bill. "They need to be able to have their religious expression protected today."

Some lawmakers, however, expressed concerns about the legislation. Sen. Harold Jones, D - Augusta, fears it could pose some Constitutional issues because it protects religious speech instead of all speech.

"Presumably a young male or female who has anything else on their athletic wear will be disqualified, but if they have religious statements on their athletic wear, they will not be disqualified," reasoned Jones.

McKoon argued the bill would pass Constitutional muster because it does not single out one faith over another.

The senate passed the bill 39 to 16 with the votes falling along party lines.

GHSA Executive Director Gary Phillips declined to comment on the passage of the bill. It now needs House approval before heading to the Governor's Office for his signature.