Changes in Alabama’s Religious Instruction Policies

Under Alabama’s current laws, local school boards hold the power to decide if students can take time off for private religious instruction during school hours. However, a new bill expected to be discussed in the 2026 legislative session aims to change this approach. If passed, it will mandate all school boards to allow elective time for religious classes during the school day, as part of a program for students on released time.

The bill, known as Senate Bill 4, is proposed by state Senator Shay Shelnutt from Trussville. He mentioned that allowing each local school board to address their own needs would necessitate policies for awarding credit to students who leave class for religious instruction.

According to the bill, “released time” refers to periods when students can attend optional religious classes organized by private entities outside the school system.

For students to receive credit for this released time, parents or guardians must give written consent. Private religious organizations are responsible for keeping attendance and sharing these records with public schools. Additionally, these institutions must supervise students during the time they are out of school. Notably, public funding will be minimal, covering only basic administrative expenses, and public school staff won’t be involved in religious instruction.

The legislation also mandates that state education boards set minimum attendance criteria to qualify for credit. Furthermore, any credit received must align with the standard credits awarded for elective courses in that school district.

Importantly, the bill clarifies that only elective credits qualify, meaning students cannot be excused from essential core curriculum classes for religious instruction.

While Shelnutt’s law takes away the local school boards’ ability to determine credits for private religious education, it still allows them some discretion in how these new rules are put into practice.

The bill specifies that local school boards can modify their policies to fit their particular needs, as long as they adhere to the new regulations. Furthermore, those boards that already have policies permitting released time instruction prior to the bill’s effective date of July 1, 2026, must ensure their changes align with the applicable laws.

Senate Bill 4 will be reviewed by the state legislature, starting with the Senate Education Policy Committee, in next year’s session.