NC Legislature Passes Student Faith Protections

North Carolina legislators approved a bill that would clearly state how school students and staff can express religious beliefs.

The bill, passed by the state Senate Monday in a 48-1 vote, allows students to share religious views with reasonable restrictions.

Students can pray to the same extent that they speak on non-religious matters. School staff may also "adopt a respectful posture" when students voluntarily lead prayer.

The measure was introduced after a first-grader at West Marion Elementary in McDowell County was told to remove a reference to God in a Veterans Day observance poem.

The bill is now headed to Gov. Pat McCrory's desk for approval.