OH SB293

Changes school district policy on released time religious instruction from optional ("may") to mandatory ("shall"), requiring districts to adopt a policy authorizing student excusal from school for off-campus religious instruction with parental consent.

Allows high school students to earn up to two units of high school credit for completing released time religious instruction courses, evaluated using secular criteria equivalent to those used for nonpublic high school courses.

Requires sponsoring entities to maintain attendance records, provide transportation, assume liability, and use no public funds or school personnel, while students are not marked absent and cannot miss core curriculum courses.

Permits credit awarded for released time religious instruction to substitute for the same amount of credit in subjects typically required under Ohio's high school curriculum standards.

Provides immunity from civil damages for school districts, board members, and employees for injuries occurring during student transportation when private transportation is used under the released time policy.