NASHVILLE (AP) - A proposal that would allow school personnel to participate in student-initiated religious activities on school grounds has passed the House.

The measure sponsored by Republican Rep. Phillip Johnson of Pegram was unanimously approved 93-0 on Thursday. The companion bill is scheduled in the Senate Education Committee next week.

The proposal allows school personnel to participate in such activities as long as they don't carry into the classroom or conflict with the assignments of the participant.

Sponsors of the bill brought it in part to support a practice by students and parents who gather around schoolyard flagpoles to pray.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee has said such prayer events are within the law as long as they are initiated and led by students.