A federal lawsuit is underway challenging a new Texas law that mandates the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms.
Civil liberties organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), are representing a group of families who argue that the law violates the First Amendment.
Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 10 into law earlier this year. The legislation, scheduled to take effect in the 2025–2026 school year, requires all public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments in a format no smaller than 16 by 20 inches.
Plaintiffs contend that the law infringes on the constitutional principle of separation of church and state. They argue that the mandated display may suggest government endorsement of a specific religious belief, potentially alienating students from diverse religious backgrounds.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court, seeks an injunction to prevent implementation of the law while legal proceedings are ongoing. Plaintiffs include families representing various faiths who express concern about the message such displays may send in a public education setting.
The Texas Education Agency has not issued a public statement on the lawsuit. In the meantime, local school districts have begun preparing to comply with the law ahead of the upcoming academic year.