An 1895 law prohibits Pennsylvania teachers from wearing religious garb such as a yarmulke or religious symbols, like a cross or the Star of David, while in the classroom. A bipartisan bill introduced in the Pennsylvania Legislature would repeal the restrictions.
Only two states - Pennsylvania and Nebraska - have such prohibitions on what teachers can wear.
House Bill 1581, co-sponsored by state Reps. Eugene DePasquale, D-York County, and Will Tallman, R-Adams County, would end the discrimination imposed on educators.
"The time has come for Pennsylvania to repeal it," state Rep. Eugene DePasquale told The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "We're not talking about people proselytizing. It's what they wear. There's a big difference between wearing a cross or yarmulke and saying, 'You should be Catholic.' "
Added state Rep. Will Tallman: "This is about restoring religious neutrality to our public school system and upgrading an old and discriminatory law. We want every teacher to be free to exercise his or her religion, regardless of that faith."
It's time for Pennsylvania to join the rest of the nation and allow teachers to display their faith without fear of disciplinary action.
Read more about the issue at the Tribune-Review website.
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