A bill that would require local school boards to adopt policies on extending academic credit for “religious instruction” outside the classroom failed an Alabama House committee on Wednesday.
Senate Bill 278, sponsored by Sen. Shay Shelnutt, R-Trussville, is identical to House Bill 342, sponsored by Rep. Susan DuBose, R-Hoover, that failed the House Education Policy Committee on April 2. DuBose presented the legislation to the House State Government Committee.
“This bill simply allows public school students to enrich their school opportunities with an optional religious class. The bill simply requires our school districts to create a policy that allows students to attend an off campus religious class during the school day,” DuBose said.
The Senate passed the legislation 25-6 on April 22 after the Senate Education Policy Committee approved it with one “no” vote. The Legislature passed a law in 2019 that allows school boards to adopt a policy on released time religious instruction. The 2025 legislation would mandate such policies.