A measure that was designed to allow teachers and coaches to join with students in prayer – before and after school – got its final OK in the Tennessee House of Representatives Wednesday.

Earlier this week, the Senate added a new amendment, with no debate and little explanation. Rep. Phillip Johnson, a Cheatham County Republican, tried to explain the addition in the House.

“The Senate added an amendment that just makes sure that we just cover situations where a school might lease their facilities to a church, that …that was OK too.”

What the amendment actually says is that school boards may also approve other “constitutionally permissible religious activities on school grounds.” Those activities are not defined.

The bill now goes to the governor for review and his signature.

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The bill, SB 3060 Summerville/HB 3266 P. Johnson, first passed in the House on March 22, and went to the Senate which added an entirely new amendment:

“Nothing in this section shall prohibit LEAs [local education authorities, or school boards] and school administrators from allowing personnel to participate in other constitutionally permissible religious activities on school grounds.”

Without the amendment, all the bill does is allow teachers and coaches to attend student-initiated religious meetings before or after school hours. The usual examples given of such meetings are prayer gatherings at the school flagpole and meetings of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.