HB616 Summary

• Allows Alabama public schools to offer elective social studies courses on the Old Testament, New Testament, or both in grades 6-12.

• Requires legal review of course materials before offering to ensure compliance with the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

• Mandates courses teach Bible characters, poetry, and narratives for understanding contemporary society, culture, law, history, government, literature, art, and music while maintaining religious neutrality.

• Provides teachers immunity from civil liability and disciplinary action if instruction is given with proper historical context and in good faith.

• Requires the State Board of Education to adopt rules and policies for implementation without violating the U.S. Constitution, federal law, Alabama Constitution of 1901, or state law.