(Indianapolis, Ind.) - A bill filed in Indiana’s legislature would demand that the national anthem be sung by the book.
State Senator Vaneta Becker (R-Evansville) wrote the bill that would require the Star Spangled Banner, when sung in public, be done in its entirety and without embellishment.
The bill won’t target off-key singers, just those who change up the anthem.
According to the bill, it "provides that all public schools, charter schools, schools receiving public scholarships, and institutions of higher education must enter into an agreement with any person or group performing the national anthemat any event sponsored by the school that is open to the public to ensure standards for the performance."
The Indiana Commission on Higher Education would be charged with developing acceptable words and accompanying music for the anthem. The proposal would also require schools to keep a record of each national anthem performance on file for two years.
A violation would land a fine of $25 for the performing individual.
Baker’s proposal was heard by a Senate committee on Wednesday, but there’s been no vote on the bill yet.
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