Students, their parents and also school employees would be guaranteed wider rights to publicly pray and express their religious beliefs in the public schools under a far-reaching bill approved on Thursday by the Florida Senate.

The backers of legislation, including the Senate President Joe Negron, contend that the measure is needed because the schools have unnecessarily clamped down on free speech rights, including prohibiting the students from wearing crosses as jewelry, or chiding the students who want to include religious figures in their academic work. The school superintendent in the Broward County in 2014 apologized after a student was told he could not read the Bible during a free reading period.

The bill (SB 436) said that school districts may not discriminate against any student, parent or the school employee because they shared their religious viewpoint.

But those opposed to the bill said that it could open the door from everything from cracking down on science teachers who teach evolution to allowing Christian students to intimidate those of other faiths.

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Senate passed the bill with 23-13 votes following a wide-ranging debate. Democratic Sen. Gary Farmer of the Fort Lauderdale said that the bill could lead to students proselytizing in school.

The bill, which is backed by the several Christian groups, said that students can wear clothing or jewelry which conveys a religious message. Negron has agreed that this would also allow followers of Islam to wear hijabs in the schools.

The legislation also said that the students can express their religious viewpoints in coursework or artwork without being penalized. It also makes clear that students can pray and also organize religious groups to the same extent as other clubs and groups are allowed to meet on the school grounds.

School districts must give religious groups access to the school facilities and they must grant students a right to speak on religious topics at the public forums.

Mrudula Duddempudi.