HB133 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Blaine Galliher

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

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

HB133 would let local boards of education authorize released-time religious instruction in public high schools as an elective credit, with safeguards to keep it separate from public schooling.

What This Bill Does

The bill would allow local boards to adopt policies authorizing high school students to be excused from school to attend religious instruction conducted by private entities during the school day, and to earn up to one elective credit for participating. It requires parental written consent, attendance records maintained by the sponsor, and transportation arranged by the sponsor or parent; no public funds or public school personnel would be involved, and the board may set standards for the program. Students must make up any missed work, cannot be released from core curriculum classes, and attendance during released time is not counted as an absence. The act would take effect immediately after the governor signs it.

Who It Affects

• High school students who choose to participate in released-time religious instruction and may earn up to one elective credit, subject to board standards.
• Parents/guardians and private sponsoring entities who must provide consent, maintain records, arrange transportation, assume liability, and ensure no public funds or public school staff are involved.

Key Provisions

• Local boards may adopt a policy to authorize excused attendance for religious instruction conducted by a private entity if parental written consent is provided, attendance records are maintained and shared with the student's school, transportation is handled by the sponsor/parent, and the sponsor assumes liability with no involvement of public funds or public school personnel.
• A participating student may earn up to one elective credit for the released-time instruction, with minimum standards for curriculum and participation set by the local board.
• The student must make up any missed schoolwork; no student may be released from a required core curriculum class to attend the religious instruction.
• While attending the released-time class, the student is not considered absent from school; the act becomes effective immediately upon governor approval.

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