AR HB1698

Creates the Arkansas Released Time Education Act allowing public schools and open-enrollment charter schools to excuse students from school to attend privately-sponsored religious instruction courses for 1-5 hours per week with parental written consent.

Requires independent entities sponsoring released time courses to maintain attendance records, provide transportation, assume liability for students, and prohibits use of school funds except for de minimis administrative costs.

Permits schools to award academic credit for released time course completion based on secular criteria including classroom instruction hours, course syllabus review, assessment methods, and instructor qualifications comparable to school teachers.

Establishes students attending released time courses shall not be marked absent from school and are responsible for completing missed schoolwork; released time courses cannot be held on school property unless permitted under neutral equal access policies.

Allows persons or organizations aggrieved by violations to appeal to the school's board of directors or governing board, and further appeal school board decisions to the State Board of Education.