Alabama Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth is throwing his weight behind a bill that would require each local board of education to adopt a policy allowing elective credit to students who are released from the classroom to attend religious instruction during the school day.
HB342 was introduced by State Rep. Susan DuBose (R-Hoover) earlier this year.
“Parents want a faith-based opportunity for their children,” DuBose said recently on WVNN. “We know 76% of voters support moral and character education for public school students. So, you know, parents want it.” She also has stated that this legislation is necessary because parental requests for these programs have been denied throughout the state and parents are often not equipped to challenge local school boards due to fear of retaliation against their children or lack of resources and time.
Ainsworth agrees with DuBose’s proposal, posting his endorsement of the bill on X Tuesday.
“Alabama is the most Christian state in the nation,” Ainsworth argued, “and we embrace religious freedom and parental choice in our schools. HB342 gives students the option of taking off-campus Bible study during school hours and requires local boards to make it available. I support its passage 100%.”
Alabama is the most Christian state in the nation, and we embrace religious freedom and parental choice in our schools. HB342 gives students the option of taking off-campus Bible study during school hours and requires local boards to make it available. I support its passage 100%. https://t.co/lgXOMtrKlI
— Will Ainsworth (@willainsworthAL) March 25, 2025
Representative DuBose received some questions from fellow committee members during a House Education Policy Committee hearing about why the availability of these programs was necessary during school hours for students.
“I think some of these school systems that have chosen not to [adopt a policy], I don’t think it’s because they dislike religious instruction,” State Rep. Alan Baker (R-Brewton) said. “But they more so value that instructional time and they want that quality time.”
DuBose has responded to questions, reminding members that the programs would not be required, credit is not mandated to be given, and the local school boards have total control to create their own policy.
She also notes that this legislation is crucial because not all students can participate in religious education outside of school hours. Many students rely on school buses for transportation, and their parents depend on public transportation or carpooling for work. Religious released time addresses this problem, she says.
“Parents have to give permission and no public funds are used. But it’s an opportunity to have faith-based education in the public school system, and this was ruled constitutional by the Supreme Court all the way back in 1952 so it’s something that we could have been implementing for decades, and we see a renaissance now,” DuBose said.
State Sen. Shay Shelnutt (R-Trussville) is carrying companion legislation upstairs in the Senate. When lawmakers return from this week’s break, next Tuesday will be day 17 of the 2025 legislative session.
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee
