A federal appeals court located in New Orleans has issued a temporary restriction on the enforcement of a ruling that declared Louisiana’s mandate for public schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms starting next year as unconstitutional.

While the ruling by U.S. District Judge John deGravelles affirming the unconstitutionality of the law is currently upheld under the recent order from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the appellate court has intervened to suspend a specific part of the ruling that would compel state education authorities to inform all school districts across Louisiana about the court’s decision.

Legal representatives for the state argue that Judge deGravelles exceeded his jurisdiction by directing that all 72 local school districts be notified, given that only five districts are specifically listed as defendants in the legal challenge against the law. They are currently formulating their appeals against the broader ruling but assert that, for now, deGravelles’ decision impacts only the five named school districts. Consequently, the requirement for the Ten Commandments to be posted remains applicable to the other 67 districts.

The order received from the 5th Circuit is characterized as an “administrative stay” and was issued in response to what state officials described as an urgent request. This order may be subject to change or could be revoked as the appeal process unfolds.

According to the law, a designated version of the Ten Commandments must be installed in every public classroom from kindergarten through 12th grade, as well as in public universities, by January 1. The legislation was approved by a Legislature predominantly composed of Republicans and was signed into law by Republican Governor Jeff Landry in June.

In his ruling, deGravelles described the law as “overtly religious” and “unconstitutional on its face.” He instructed state officials, including the state’s Superintendent of Education and the education board—both named as defendants in the case—not to take any measures to enforce the law. He also mandated that the education officials communicate the law’s unconstitutional status to all school boards in the state.

Attorney General Elizabeth Murrill, a Republican supporter of Governor Landry, expressed the state’s disagreement with the entire court ruling. She pointed out that the requirement for notification poses an immediate challenge, as it could lead to confusion among the school systems that believe the law is still operational.