Senators end ban on teachers wearing religious garb

The Legislature on Thursday repealed Nebraska's longtime ban on public school teachers wearing any religious garb in the classroom, ending the bill's long journey through legislative roadblocks erected by Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha.

Chambers made a final effort to waylay the bill (LB62), but his motion to return the proposal from its final reading stage to an earlier round of floor consideration was rejected before the measure was enacted on a 39-5 vote.

Voting with Chambers were Sens. Curt Friesen of Henderson, Paul Schumacher of Columbus, Justin Wayne of Omaha and Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln.

The bill, introduced by Speaker Jim Scheer of Norfolk, wipes out a ban that raised some questions of constitutionality in terms of free exercise of religion.

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