Protected writings, documents, and records of American history or heritage

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Indiana Code › Title 20 › Article 30 › Chapter 5 › Section 20-30-5-3

This text was captured on Aug 14, 2026. It is a snapshot, not a live feed, so check the official code before relying on it.

Text

Sec. 3. (a) This section applies to the following writings, documents, and records:

(1) The Constitution of the United States.

(2) The national motto.

(3) The national anthem.

(4) The Pledge of Allegiance.

(5) The Constitution of the State of Indiana.

(6) The Declaration of Independence.

(7) The Mayflower Compact.

(8) The Federalist Papers.

(9) "Common Sense" by Thomas Paine.

(10) The writings, speeches, documents, and proclamations of the founding fathers and presidents of the United States.

(11) United States Supreme Court decisions.

(12) Executive orders of the presidents of the United States.

(13) Frederick Douglas' Speech at Rochester, New York, on July 5, 1852, entitled "What to a Slave is the Fourth of July?".

(14) Appeal by David Walker.

(15) Chief Seattle's letter to the United States government in 1852 in response to the United States government's inquiry regarding the purchase of tribal lands.

(b) A school corporation may allow a principal or teacher in the school corporation to read or post in a school building or classroom or at a school event any excerpt or part of a writing, document, or record listed in subsection (a).

(c) A school corporation may not permit the content based censorship of American history or heritage based on religious references in a writing, document, or record listed in subsection (a).

(d) A library, a media center, or an equivalent facility that a school corporation maintains for student use must contain in the facility's permanent collection at least one (1) copy of each writing or document listed in subsection (a)(1) through (a)(9).

(e) A school corporation:

(1) shall allow a student to include a reference to a writing, document, or record listed in subsection (a) in a report or other work product; and

(2) may not punish the student in any way, including a reduction in grade, for using the reference.

[Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-10.1-4-2.5.]

As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14.

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.

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Protected writings, documents, and records of American history or heritage · Ind. Code § 20-30-5-3 | Frix