Senate committee approves flag salute bill

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Tuesday, April 20, 1999 | 1:16 a.m.

Assemblywoman Bonnie Parnell, D-Carson City, says she authored AB144 because the pledge isn't recited in many schools. She said she got hundreds of messages on the bill from people who want the pledge restored.

Parnell adds the initial version of the bill was improperly written and read as if she opposed the Pledge of Allegiance. She said the opposite is true.

While the bill doesn't provide any exemptions from the pledge requirement, Parnell said U.S. Supreme Court decisions and existing laws permit Jehovah's Witnesses and other pupils to refuse to recite the pledge for matters of conscience.

A teacher for 21 years, Parnell said students can step out of the room or merely stand if they object to the recitation.