HB62 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Nathaniel LedbetterRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Education, public schools, grades 6 to 12, allow elective courses on the study of the Bible and display artifacts, monuments, symbols, and text related to the study of the Bible, State Board of Education to implement rules and policies

Summary

HB 62 would let Alabama public schools offer elective Bible-study courses for grades 6–12 and display Bible-related artifacts in classroom settings, with rules to be set by the State Board of Education.

What This Bill Does

It allows public schools to offer elective courses on the Old Testament, the New Testament, or both. It also permits displaying artifacts, monuments, symbols, and texts related to the Bible if they help the course's educational purpose. The State Board of Education must adopt rules to implement the act, and principals may approve displays when they support the course and educational goals. The courses aim to teach about Bible contents and history, its influence on culture and law, and to maintain religious neutrality.

Who It Affects

• Public school students in grades 6–12 who may take elective Bible-study courses and encounter related materials in class.
• Public schools, including districts, teachers, and administrators, who would offer the courses, manage displays, and ensure neutrality and legal compliance.

Key Provisions

• Allows public schools to offer elective Bible-study courses in grades 6–12: Old Testament, New Testament, or both.
• Allows display of artifacts, monuments, symbols, and texts related to the Bible if appropriate to the educational purpose of the course.
• Requires the State Board of Education to adopt rules and policies to implement the act.
• Course goals include teaching about Bible content, history, literary style, and the Bible's influence on law, history, government, art, and culture.
• Teachers must maintain religious neutrality and comply with laws regulating instruction on religion; cannot endorse or disparage any religion.
• Principals may authorize displays in conjunction with relevant courses, ensuring alignment with educational goals.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and 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