HB133 Summary

• Authorizes local boards of education to adopt policies allowing high school students to be excused from school to attend religious instruction classes conducted by private entities, contingent on parental written consent and attendance record maintenance by the sponsoring entity.

• Students participating in released time religious instruction may earn up to one elective course credit as determined by the local board of education, which may establish minimum curriculum and participation standards.

• Requires the sponsoring entity to assume complete responsibility for transportation (including for students with disabilities) and liability, with no public funds or school personnel involved in providing the religious instruction.

• Prohibits students from being released from required core curriculum classes to attend religious instruction, and students attending released time classes are not counted as absent from school.

• Becomes effective immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor.