Religious instruction, elective credit for release time further provided for

SB 229 mandates that all Alabama local school boards must adopt policies allowing K-12 students to earn elective credit for attending off-campus religious instruction during school hours, directly affecting students, parents (who must provide written consent), and school districts. The bill requires specific conditions: private religious groups must handle transportation and liability, no public funds can cover instruction (only minimal administrative costs), and students cannot miss required core classes. It builds on existing law by making the policy mandatory for all school boards, rather than optional, while ensuring constitutional compliance as affirmed by the Zorach v. Clauson Supreme Court case. The bill is pending committee review and would take effect July 1, 2025, if passed.