OH HB171

Allows school district boards of education to adopt policies permitting students to be excused from school during regular hours to attend religious instruction courses off school property, provided parental written consent is obtained.

Requires the sponsoring religious entity to maintain attendance records, provide transportation, assume liability, and use no public funds or school personnel for instruction.

Students attending released time courses are not marked absent and cannot be released from core curriculum subject courses to attend religious instruction.

Permits high school students to earn up to two units of high school credit for completed released time religious courses, evaluated using secular criteria (classroom hours, syllabus review, assessment methods, instructor qualifications) neutral to religious content.

Provides liability protection for school districts, board members, and employees regarding student transportation to and from released time instruction when private transportation is used.