ATLANTA -- Members of the state House want to make sure "Merry Christmas" is safe to say in Georgia schools and other government buildings, under a bill approved Jan. 31.
The bill, which passed 136-25, would prevent state and local governments from banning their employees and students from uttering "verbal expressions" celebrating any public or legal holiday.
Rep. Clay Cox, R-Lilburn, the bill's sponsor, said he was concerned about the so-called war on Christmas and that the bill would make sure students and government employees "will be free to speak and express themselves, as they should, when they want to celebrate a public holiday."
Despite its overwhelming support, some Democrats in the House questioned the need for the bill.
"I'm just trying to understand why this is not covered by the federal law that protects freedom of speech," said Rep. Roger Bruce, D-Atlanta.
School officials still would be able to prevent students from disruptive behavior under the bill.
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