SB 278 Alabama Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Religious instruction, elective credit for release time further provided for

SB 278 focuses on local education policies concerning "released time" for religious instruction. The bill clarifies that local boards of education with policies allowing released time instruction, adopted before July 1, 2025, are not required to change them. This provision applies as long as these existing policies already comply with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations. It primarily affects local school boards and their ability to maintain current arrangements for students to receive religious instruction during school hours.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2025

Committee Review

May 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Apr 1, 2025 Last action May 6, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 7 edits · Apr 22, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was amended from 'Introduced' to 'Engrossed' status, adding detailed statutory language that establishes the Alabama Released Time Credit Act. The changes convert the bill from a policy recommendation to mandatory requirements for local school boards to implement released time programs for religious instruction, while maintaining local flexibility in policy implementation.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a general policy framework to specific statutory requirements with detailed provisions for implementation, eligibility, and operational standards.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific requirements for local school boards to implement released time programs, including attendance record maintenance and liability provisions.

Added prohibition on releasing students from required core curriculum classes to attend released time programs.

DEFINITION

Defined 'released time' as periods during the school day when students participate in off-site religious instruction by private entities.

ELIGIBILITY

Established eligibility criteria including parental consent, attendance record availability, and prohibition of public school personnel involvement.

FISCAL

Restricted public funding to de minimis administrative costs only, with all other expenses including transportation borne by private entities or families.

TIMELINE

Set the effective date of the act to July 1, 2025, and included grandfather provisions for existing policies.

TECHNICAL

Changed bill status from 'Introduced' to 'Engrossed' and updated document numbering and page headers.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 6, 2025

Committee

Re-referred to Committee in Second House (State Government)

lower

Apr 22, 2025

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (Education Policy)

lower

Apr 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 783

upper

Apr 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

Shelnutt motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 782

upper

Apr 22, 2025

Introduced

Shelnutt 1st Amendment Offered

upper

Apr 16, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

upper

Apr 1, 2025

Upper · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Education Policy)

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors