It could become compulsory for public schools in Texas to prominently display the Ten Commandments in every classroom after new legislation was approved. If passed by the House of Representatives, the two pieces of legislation would also allow school districts to set aside time for students to pray and read religious texts.

The Senate approved the legislation introduced by Senator Phil King which would require public elementary and secondary schools in Texas to display the words.

The new legislation says it would remind 'students all across Texas of the importance of a fundamental foundation of American and Texas law — the Ten Commandments."

State senators also passed legislation which would allow public, non-religious school districts to adopt a policy requiring its campuses to allocate time for students and staff to participate in an optional "period of prayer and Bible reading on each school day."

Authored by Republican Sen. Mayes Middleton, the bill would allow prayer or Bible reading to be delivered over a school's public address system. It would require parents to opt-in for their children to participate.

The bill states : "A public school student has an absolute right to individually, voluntarily, and silently pray or meditate in school in a manner that does not disrupt the instructional or other activities of the school."