AL SB248

Amends the Alabama Released Time Credit Act to require the State Board of Education and local school boards to allow parents to choose religious released time programs for their students, conducted off-campus by churches or community-based religious organizations

Requires sponsoring religious entities to conduct criminal history background checks on all employees or contractors who will have direct, ongoing contact with students

Allows local boards to deny released time participation only if there is objective evidence of substantial risk of physical harm to the student or the sponsoring entity is violating state law in a manner posing physical harm risk

Prohibits students from being excused from minimum instructional time for any course, subject, or required interventions under state or federal law to participate in released time

Passed the Alabama Senate 29-0 on February 19, 2026; effective date July 1, 2026