AL SB229

Require each local board of education to adopt a policy allowing students to earn elective credit for attending religious instruction during the school day as "released time."

Define released time as a period during the school day when students attend elective religious instruction courses conducted off school property by private entities.

Establish conditions for released time participation: written parental consent, sponsoring entity maintains attendance records, private entity assumes liability, no public funds expended except de minimis administrative costs, and no public school personnel involved in instruction.

Award elective course credit for released time participation in grades where credit is earned, with credit not exceeding normal elective course credit and subject to State Board of Education minimum attendance standards.

Prohibit students from being released from required core curriculum classes to attend released time; require time spent counted as part of actual school day; make sponsoring entity responsible for all transportation including for students with disabilities.