TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida’s public schools would have to let students lead religious prayers during the school day and at school-sanctioned events, under a controversial proposal the state Senate approved March 23, mostly along party lines.

Republican state Sen. Dennis Baxley heralded his bill (SB 436) as a way for lawmakers to “take a stand for liberty,” because it makes explicitly clear the rights to religious expression that students and teachers have in public schools, regardless of their faith.

But Democrats worry the measure goes beyond existing protections of religious freedom and violates the constitutional separation between church and state.

They also fear it could lead to students and teachers being ostracized or discriminated against if they’re of non-Christian faiths or non-religious.

“It’s religiously coercive, divisive and unconstitutional,” said Democratic state Sen. Kevin Rader.

The bill passed on a 23-13 vote, with Democratic state Sen. Daphne Campbell voting with Republicans to support the bill. Campbell told the Herald/Times: “I don’t see anything wrong. The bill is not discriminatory. I just don’t see how anyone could be against prayer.”

Baxley’s proposal — which has large support from Christian and conservative-leaning groups — is more controversial and more far-reaching than a companion measure that’s moved through the House with, so far, unanimous support.

The full House could vote on its bill (HB 303) as early as next week.

Both the House and Senate bills make clear students’ and teachers’ rights to express their religious beliefs “in written and oral assignments,” to wear jewelry that has a religious message, and to participate in student-sponsored religious groups before, during and after the school day.

But Baxley’s bill goes further in also requiring school districts to adopt policies allowing for “limited public forums” so that students of different faiths can say prayers at school events, like assemblies and football games.

Rader had filed an amendment to match the Senate bill with the House’s narrower version, but he withdrew it. The House and Senate have to pass identical bills in order for a proposal to be sent to the governor and signed into law.

Religious expression is already protected under the state and U.S. constitutions, and Democrats said that further guidance from the Legislature wasn’t necessary.