MT HB343

School district trustees are now required (changed from "may" to "shall") to provide a religious instruction released time program allowing students to be released from regular school attendance for religious instruction upon annual written parental request

Students must be allowed at least 1 hour per week of released time for religious instruction, with trustees determining the exact amount

Released time counts as part of the school day and cannot adversely affect a student's enrollment status, attendance record, or the district's ANB funding calculations

School districts may adopt policies awarding academic credit for religious instruction released time courses, evaluating them using secular criteria such as classroom hours, syllabus review, assessment methods, and instructor qualifications

Public school property and public money are prohibited from being used for the religious instruction, and credit decisions must be neutral to religious content or denominational affiliation