(CNSNews.com) -- This fall, public school students in South Dakota will return to their classes greeted by the message “In God We Trust," the national motto of the United States, prominently displayed in their schools' hallways.
In March, Governor Kristi Noem (R) signed SB55 into law. The law states, "Beginning in the 2019-2020 school year, the national motto of the United States, 'In God We Trust,' shall be displayed in each public school. The display shall be located in a prominent location within each public school.
"The display may take the form of a mounted plaque, student artwork, or any other appropriate form as determined by the school principal. The display shall be easily readable and may be no smaller than twelve inches wide by twelve inches high. For the purposes of this section, a prominent location is a school entryway, cafeteria, or other common area where students are most likely to see the national motto display."
In a July 25 tweet, Gov. Noem said, "We should never be afraid to proclaim that we are one nation under God. Thanks to a new law, ‘In God We Trust’ will be a part of South Dakota schools this upcoming school year as a humbling reminder of our country's faith tradition.”
The Freedom from Religion Foundation, an atheist group that opposes the public funding of religious messages, expressed opposition to the new law.
"Our position is that it's a terrible violation of freedom of conscience to inflict a godly message on a captive audience of schoolchildren," Annie Gaylor, the co-president of the organization, said.
The state of Indiana is considering following South Dakota’s lead and requiring the motto to be displayed in every classroom in its public schools with a bill recently introduced to the Indiana House of Representatives.