HB568 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Blaine Galliher

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Education, local boards of education authorized to provide for released time religious instruction in public high schools as an elective course for credit

Summary

This bill would let local school boards grant high school students elective credit for released time religious instruction taken off-campus during the school day.

What This Bill Does

Local boards may adopt policies to allow a high school student to be excused from regular classes to attend religious instruction conducted by a private entity during the school day. The student can earn up to one elective credit for this instruction, with boards setting any necessary standards for the program. No public funds or public school personnel would provide the instruction; parents must give written consent, and the sponsoring entity handles attendance records, transportation, and liability. The program cannot replace required core courses, students must make up missed work, and attendance in released time is not counted as an absence.

Who It Affects

• High school students who choose to participate and their parents or guardians (consent required).
• Local boards of education and public schools (they authorize and oversee the policy and credits).
• Private religious instruction sponsors (they conduct the instruction and manage records and transport).

Key Provisions

• Authorizes local boards of education to adopt policies allowing released time religious instruction as an elective credit for high school students.
• Requires parental written consent, sponsor-maintained attendance records, transportation responsibility by sponsor/parent, and sponsor liability arrangements.
• Prohibits use of public funds and involvement of public school personnel in the instruction.
• Allows up to one elective credit for participation; boards may set minimum standards for the program.
• Student must make up any missed schoolwork; cannot be released from core curriculum courses; attendance during released time is not considered an absence.
• Effective immediately after passage and governor approval (or upon becoming law).

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education