Senate Bill 248 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 creates a framework for religious released-time instruction during the school day, allowing eligible students to earn elective credit and outlining sponsor, liability, and district responsibilities.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes local boards of education to offer religious released-time programs conducted off school property during the school day, with participating students potentially earning elective credit as allowed by state rules. Parents or guardians can choose for their student to participate, using a single authorization form for the full school year. The sponsoring religious organization handles attendance records, liability, staff background checks, and transportation arrangements, while public school personnel are not involved in providing the instruction and no public funds are spent beyond minimal administrative costs. The time spent in released time is counted as part of the school day, and credit is limited to normal elective credit with required attendance standards; students may not be excused from core curriculum time.

Who It Affects

• Public K-12 students who elect to participate in religious released-time instruction during the school day and may earn elective credit for the coursework.
• Sponsoring religious organizations and the students’ parents/guardians who organize and participate in the program, including logistics, consent, recordkeeping, liability, and transportation responsibilities.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Alabama Released Time Credit Act by amending Section 16-1-20.6 to allow released-time religious instruction for elective credit.
• Defines released time as a school-day period for off-campus religious instruction conducted by a sponsoring entity such as a church or local religious organization.
• Requires parental/guardian consent and allows a single annual authorization form for the school year; allows districts to implement a policy for attendance, records, and credit.
• Sponsor handles attendance records, liability for participating student, and conducts background checks for employees/contractors with direct contact; transportation is the sponsor/parent/student responsibility and not public school personnel.
• No public funds or public school personnel used beyond de minimis costs; no release from core instructional time; districts may tailor policies to meet local needs while complying with the section.
• Elective credit may be earned for participation (within state Board rules), up to normal elective credit with minimum attendance standards; time spent released is counted as part of the actual school day.
• Effective July 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 19, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education