HB 616

This bill would allow public schools to offer elective courses focusing on the study of the Bible in grades six to 12, would provide for review to ensure that the courses do not violate the First Amendment, and would provide immunity for teachers who teach the material in good faith and with proper historical context

This bill would also require the State Board of Education to adopt rules and policies to implement the requirements of the bill

Relating to education; to allow public schools to offer elective courses focusing on the study of the Bible in grades six to 12; to require that the courses do not violate the First Amendment to the United States Constitution; to provide immunity for teachers who teach the material in good faith and with proper historical context; and to require the State Board of Education to adopt rules and policies to implement the requirements of the bill.

Section 1

(a) A public school may offer elective courses in the study of the Bible in grades six to 12, inclusive, as follows: (1) A social studies course on the Old Testament of the Bible. (2) A social studies course on the New Testament of the Bible. (3) A social studies course on the Old Testament and the New Testament of the Bible. (b) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules and policies necessary for implementing the requirements of this act. (c) Before a public school offers an elective course in the study of the Bible under this act, a legal review of the course material shall be conducted to ensure that the course material does not violate the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Section 2

(a) Elective courses offered pursuant to this act shall be designed to do all of the following: (1) Teach students about Bible characters, poetry, and narratives that are useful for understanding contemporary society and culture, including art, music, social mores, oration, and public policy. (2) Familiarize students with the following: a. The contents of the Bible. b. The history of the Bible. c. The literary style and structure of the Bible. d. The influence of the Bible on law, history, government, literature, art, music, customs, morals, values, and cultures. (b) A student may not be required to use a specific translation of the Bible and may use as the basic textbook a different translation of the Bible from the one chosen by the State Board of Education. (c) A teacher of a course offered pursuant to this act shall comply with applicable law and all federal and state guidelines regarding maintaining religious neutrality and accommodating the diverse religious views, traditions, and perspectives of students in the school. (d) A teacher of a course offered pursuant to this act may not endorse, favor, promote, disfavor, or show hostility toward any particular religion or nonreligious faith or religious perspective. (e) A teacher of a course offered pursuant to this act shall be immune from civil liability and disciplinary action for the contents of the course if the instruction is given with proper historical context and in good faith. (f) The State Board of Education, in complying with this section, shall not violate the United States Constitution, federal law, the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, state law, or any administrative rule or regulation of the United States Department of Education or the State Board of Education.

Section 3

This act shall become effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.