SB248 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Shay ShelnuttSenator

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Religious instruction; elective credit for release time further provided for

Summary

SB248 lets public school students participate in religious instruction during the school day as released time and potentially earn elective credit.

What This Bill Does

It allows a parent to opt their student into a religious released time program run by a sponsoring religious organization off school property. The time can count as elective credit if earned, with attendance tracked by the sponsor, the sponsor assuming liability, and background checks required; no public funds or school personnel are involved, and transportation is the sponsor/parent's responsibility. The policy is set by the State Board of Education and local boards, and the act takes effect July 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Students and their parents/guardians, who may participate in religious released time during the school day and, if eligible, receive elective credit.
• Religious sponsoring organizations and school districts (via the State and local boards), which must implement policies, maintain records, ensure safety and liability, conduct background checks, and manage funding and transportation responsibilities.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Alabama Released Time Credit Act and defines 'released time' (an elective, religious instruction period during the school day) and 'sponsoring entity' (a church or local religious organization).
• Allows a parent to opt their student into a religious released time program during the school day with written consent and a single year-long checkout form.
• Requires the sponsoring entity to maintain attendance records, assume liability for participating students, conduct criminal background checks for staff, and cover transportation; no public funds or school personnel involved; release cannot occur if it would create a risk of physical harm or reduce required instructional time.
• Authorize elective credit for released time, up to the normal elective credit for the course, with State Board rules on attendance standards; time spent is counted as part of the school day.
• Prohibits releasing students from core curriculum courses and makes transportation the responsibility of the sponsor/parent/student; implementation is overseen by the State Board of Education and local boards; effective July 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07 on Apr 2, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education