GA HB133

Local education agencies may adopt policies allowing public school students to be excused for at least one hour per week to attend "released time courses" in religious moral instruction provided by outside organizations, with written parental consent required.

Students attending released time courses would not be counted as absent from school, and local education agencies may award academic credit for completed courses based on secular criteria such as instruction hours, syllabus review, assessment methods, and instructor qualifications.

Transportation to and from released time courses is the responsibility of parents or guardians, and the sponsoring organization assumes full responsibility for students during participation; courses cannot be held on school property unless under a neutral equal-access policy.

Criminal background checks are required for individuals teaching released time courses, and no local education agency funds may be spent except for de minimis administrative costs and credit evaluation.

Local education agencies and their employees are granted immunity from civil liability for injuries during student transit to or from courses when private transportation is used, and the Department of Education must develop model policies and protect state/federal funding levels.