A federal appeals court has cleared the way for Louisiana schools to move forward with displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms, lifting a legal block that had stalled the law since 2024.
On Thursday, Feb. 20, 2026, the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit voted 12–6 to remove a previous injunction that prevented the state from enforcing the requirement. The ruling does not determine whether the law is constitutional, but instead allows the state to proceed while legal challenges continue.
Judges in the majority said the challenge to the law came too early because there are still too many unanswered questions about how the displays will actually be implemented in classrooms.
According to the court’s opinion, the details surrounding the displays remain unclear, including how large or visible they will be, where they will be placed in classrooms and whether teachers will reference the text during instruction. The court also noted uncertainty about whether schools will choose to display other historical documents alongside the Ten Commandments.
The law permits schools to include documents such as the Declaration of Independence as part of the display, though those decisions will ultimately be left to local school systems.
The legislation, Louisiana House Bill 71, was signed into law on June 19, 2024, by Jeff Landry. The measure requires that the Ten Commandments be posted in every public K–12 classroom, charter school classroom and state-funded university classroom across Louisiana.
Under the law, each display must be a poster or framed document measuring at least 11 by 14 inches with the Ten Commandments printed in large, easily readable type as the central focus. The display must also include a three-paragraph explanation describing the historical role of the Ten Commandments in American education and legal tradition.
The law specifies that public funds cannot be used to pay for the displays, meaning they must be donated or funded privately.
Local school boards will determine the design and placement of the displays in their respective schools.
Officials with Bossier Parish School Board said the district plans to follow the law as directed by the state.
In a statement provided by the district, officials said:
“Bossier Schools will act in accordance with state law and the directive issued by Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry regarding the display of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom. The district’s role is to follow the law, and we will do so accordingly. Bossier Schools will remain neutral on this matter and will not take a position or offer further comment.”
The decision from the Fifth Circuit means Louisiana schools can begin preparing for the displays while additional legal challenges move through the courts. Opponents of the law have argued the requirement violates constitutional protections regarding religion in public education, while supporters say the measure highlights the historical influence of the Ten Commandments on American law and culture.
For now, the court’s ruling allows the law to take effect, leaving local school districts — including those in Bossier Parish — responsible for determining how the displays will appear in classrooms moving forward.