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HB454 • 2026

Public schools; require a brief period of quiet reflection at the opening of every school day.

AN ACT TO ENACT THE "PERIOD OF QUIET REFLECTION ACT"; TO AMEND SECTION 37-13-8, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT IN EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL CLASSROOM, THE LOCAL SCHOOL GOVERNING BOARD SHALL REQUIRE A BRIEF PERIOD OF QUIET REFLECTION FOR NOT MORE THAN 60 SECONDS AT THE OPENING OF EVERY SCHOOL DAY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Education
Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor
Nelson
Last action
2026-02-03
Official status
Dead
Effective date
July 1, 20

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide details on implementation or enforcement, leaving these aspects uncertain.

Period of Quiet Reflection Act

This bill requires local school boards to set aside up to one minute of quiet reflection at the start of each school day.

What This Bill Does

  • Creates the Period of Quiet Reflection Act.
  • Requires local school governing boards to mandate a brief period of quiet reflection for not more than sixty seconds at the beginning of every school day.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Public schools in Mississippi
  • Local school governing boards

Terms To Know

Period of Quiet Reflection Act
A law that requires public schools to have a brief quiet time at the start of each day.
Local School Governing Board
The group responsible for making decisions about local school policies and operations.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This bill did not pass during its session.
  • It is unclear how schools will implement the quiet time requirement.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    02/03 (H) Died In Committee

  2. 2026-01-12 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    01/12 (H) Referred To Education

Official Summary Text

Public schools; require a brief period of quiet reflection at the opening of every school day.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
H. B. No. 454 *HR43/R221* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/HR43/R221
PAGE 1 (DJ\KP)

To: Education
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representative Nelson

HOUSE BILL NO. 454

AN ACT TO ENACT THE "PERIOD OF QUIET REFLECTION ACT"; TO 1
AMEND SECTION 37-13-8, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT 2
IN EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL CLASSROOM, THE LOCAL SCHOOL GOVERNING BOARD 3
SHALL REQUIRE A BRIEF PERIOD OF QUIET REFLECTION FOR NOT MORE THAN 4
60 SECONDS AT THE OPENING OF EVERY SCHOOL DAY; AND FOR RELATED 5
PURPOSES. 6
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 7
SECTION 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the 8
"Period of Quiet Reflection Act." 9
SECTION 2. Section 37-13-8, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 10
amended as follows: 11
37-13-8. (1) In each public school classroom, the local 12
school governing board * * * shall require a brief period of quiet 13
reflection for not more than sixty (60) seconds at the opening of 14
school upon every school day. 15
(2) The moment of quiet reflection * * * required by 16
subsection (1) of this section is not intended to be and shall not 17
be conducted as a religious service or exercise but is considered 18
an opportunity for a moment of silent reflection. 19
H. B. No. 454 *HR43/R221* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR43/R221
PAGE 2 (DJ\KP)
ST: Public schools; require a brief period of
quiet reflection at the opening of every school
day.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from 20
and after July 1, 2026. 21