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Alabama Senate committee hears support, opposition for religious instruction bill

Ben Baker, a superintendent in Dale County, Ala., speaks at the Senate Education Policy Committee against a bill that would require school boards to adopt a policy on religious instruction on April 9, 2025, in the Alabama State House in Montgomery, Ala. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector)
Ben Baker, a superintendent in Dale County, Ala., speaks at the Senate Education Policy Committee against a bill that would require school boards to adopt a policy on religious instruction on April 9, 2025, in the Alabama State House in Montgomery, Ala. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector) Ben Baker, a superintendent in Dale County, Ala., speaks at the Senate Education Policy Committee against a bill that would require school boards to adopt a policy on religious instruction on April 9, 2025, in the Alabama State House in Montgomery, Ala. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector)

By Anna Barrett 4 min read

The Alabama Senate Education Policy committee heard from critics and supporters of religious instruction in public schools.

Senate Bill 278, sponsored by Sen. Shay Shelnutt, R-Trussville, mirrors House Bill 342, sponsored by Rep. Susan DuBose, R-Hoover, which was rejected by the House Education Committee on April 2. The legislation requires local school boards to adopt a policy regarding released time religious instruction. Alabama law already allows school boards to adopt a policy, but this legislation would mandate it.

“I just want to stress again that this is completely optional for students and requires parental consent,” Shelnutt said. “They keep saying it takes away local control. This bill does not take away control of the local board. They have the right to make a policy, and they can decide if they want to not do anything.”

Ben Baker, superintendent of Dale County Schools, criticized the legislation, saying it does take away local control from school boards.

“School systems do not need more mandates. Current law leaves the decision to local school boards who are best positioned to determine whether release time instruction aligns with the needs of their community,” he said.