HB291 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Danny GarrettRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Education, local boards of education to allow released time for religious education off campus for elective credit, Alabama Released Time Credit Act

Summary

The bill allows Alabama public schools to let students attend off-campus religious instruction during the school day for elective credit, under certain rules.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes local boards of education to implement released time policies for students to participate in off-campus religious instruction and earn elective credit, up to the normal elective credit limit. The program requires parent consent, sponsor attendance records, sponsor liability, minimal public funds, and no public school personnel providing the instruction. Time spent released for instruction counts as part of the school day, transportation is the sponsor/parent/student responsibility, and students cannot be released from core classes. The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Public school students who may participate in released time for religious instruction and possibly earn elective credit
• Parents or guardians who must provide written consent
• Local boards of education and school districts that implement released time policies
• Sponsoring private religious entities that provide the instruction and maintain attendance records
• Public school personnel, who are not involved in providing the instruction

Key Provisions

• Defines released time as a school-day period for off-campus religious instruction by a private entity
• States that the State Board of Education must adopt a policy and local boards may implement it if requirements are met (written parental consent, attendance records provided to the school, sponsor liability arranged, minimal public funds, no public school personnel involved)
• Allows elective credit for released time, not exceeding the normal elective credit for that school system, with minimum attendance standards set by the State Board
• Credits time spent released for instruction as if the student attended school, counted as part of the actual school day
• Transfers transportation responsibility for released time to the sponsor, parent, guardian, or student; public schools may not arrange it
• Prohibits releasing a student from a required core curriculum class to attend released time
• Effective date: first day of the third month after passage and 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