Substitute House Bill 214 - Religious Expression Days Act

• Requires all public school districts to adopt a policy permitting students in grades K-12 to be absent for up to three religious expression days per school year for religious holidays or organized religious activities without academic penalty.

• Mandates school districts provide alternative accommodations for missed examinations and academic requirements if parents provide written notice at least 14 school days after the first day of school or enrollment.

• Requires school districts to adopt a policy prohibiting staff and employees from being required to affirmatively ascribe to or affirm commitment to specific political beliefs, ideologies, or movements in hiring, employment evaluation, or career advancement decisions.

• Applies the same policy restrictions to students, prohibiting use of political or ideological beliefs as part of academic evaluation criteria.

• Requires school districts to post the religious expression policy and a non-exhaustive list of major religious holidays on their website and notify parents annually of the policy and procedures for requesting accommodations.