Associated Press - July 10, 2009 8:34 PM ET

PHOENIX (AP) - Arizona public school students will have new rights to express religious viewpoints under a bill signed by Gov. Jan Brewer.

The "Students Religious Liberties Act" prohibits schools from discriminating against students or parents on the basis of religious viewpoint or expressions.

Under the bill signed Friday, prayer and other religious activities are to be permitted "to the same extent that students may engage in nonreligious activities or expression."

The bill also requires that an administrative process be used to consider alleged violations prior to a lawsuit being filed.

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