Religious instruction; elective credit for release time further provided for

SB 248 prevents public school students from being excused from required classes or mandated student interventions (like tutoring) to attend religious instruction during school hours. It directly affects students in public schools and school districts that previously allowed "release time" for religious activities. The bill amends existing law to explicitly state that no student may be excused for religious purposes, overriding any prior practice. This changes the policy by removing an exception that allowed time off for religious instruction during required instructional periods.