SCHOOLS: Provides that public school boards may adopt a policy to authorize released time for K-12 public school students, subject to parental approval. (gov sig) (EN SEE FISC NOTE SG RV)
SB 112 allows Louisiana public school boards to adopt policies enabling K-12 students to attend off-campus religious instruction during school hours, subject to written parental consent and specific requirements. The bill requires schools to provide parents with forms detailing liability waivers (shifting responsibility to sponsoring religious organizations for injuries during transportation or instruction) and mandates that courses last 1-5 hours weekly. It also specifies that school boards must maintain attendance records and prohibits schools from using property for such courses unless they follow neutral equal-access policies for all community groups. This legislation aligns with a 1952 U.S. Supreme Court ruling permitting parental-approved religious education outside school hours.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
May 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Feb 23, 2026
Signed May 29, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons
What changed between versions
SB112 Original
→
SB112 Act 461
·
3 edits
MINOR
The bill was enrolled and finalized with minor formatting updates. The primary substantive change is the addition of a new section (288.5) that explicitly provides for constitutional protections, ensuring the program aligns with state constitutional requirements. The bill also updated the short title to 'School Released Time Education Act' and expanded the legislative findings to clarify the legal basis for parental rights in education.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on authorizing released time courses for K-12 students, but it now includes explicit language regarding constitutional protections to safeguard the program's legality.
REQUIREMENT
Added a new section (288.5) specifically addressing constitutional protections for the released time education program.
DEFINITION
Updated the short title from 'School Released Time Education Act' to 'School Released Time Education Act' and expanded the list of legislative findings to include constitutional considerations.
TECHNICAL
Adjusted the list of affected Revised Statutes to include the new section 288.5.
Floor votes · Senate May 5, 2026 · House May 19, 2026
How they voted
35–0
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 40
May 5, 2026
D
Democratic12
83% Yea
R
Republican28
89% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
19
Key actions
5
Committee
4
Amendments
1
May 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Amendments proposed by the House read and concurred in by a vote of 33 yeas and 0 nays.
upper
May 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 83, nays 9. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.
lower
May 13, 2026
Introduced
Reported with Legislative Bureau amendments.
lower
May 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported with amendments (11-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.
lower
May 7, 2026
Committee
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Education.
lower
May 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title and passed by a vote of 34 yeas and 0 nays; ordered reengrossed and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
upper
Apr 22, 2026
Upper · Passed
Rules suspended. Reported with amendments.
upper
Mar 9, 2026
Committee
Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Education.
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
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