State Sen. Shay Shelnutt (R-Trussville) has prefiled legislation for the 2026 session that would require all public school districts in the state to grant elective credit to students who attend private religious instruction during the school day.
Senate Bill 4, titled the Alabama Released Time Credit Act, was prefiled on May 22 and is scheduled to be formally read into the Senate record on January 13, 2026. It will be taken up by the Senate Education Policy Committee when the Legislature convenes next year.
Currently, under existing law, the State Board of Education has a policy that provides elective credit to students who attend religious instruction during the school day, and each local board of education may choose whether to implement this policy.
This bill would require each local board of education to implement a policy allowing elective credit to students who are released from the classroom to attend religious instruction during the school day, provided each local board of education may tailor the policy to meet their needs.
The bill defines “released time” as a period during the regular school day when a student attends an elective course in religious instruction, conducted off school property and provided by a private entity. To participate, a student’s parent or guardian must provide written consent. The private entity offering the religious instruction must keep attendance records and provide them to the school, assume liability for students during the released time, and provide any necessary transportation at its own expense.
Public school personnel are prohibited from providing religious instruction, and no public funds beyond minimal administrative costs may be used to support released-time programs. The legislation also makes clear that no student may be excused from required core curriculum classes to participate.
Students participating in released-time programs may earn elective credit, up to the amount typically awarded for an elective course in their school system. The State Board of Education is tasked with setting minimum standards for attendance required to earn credit. Time spent in religious instruction would count as part of the official school day.
Districts that already have released-time policies in place prior to July 1, 2026, would be allowed to maintain or adjust those policies, so long as they comply with the new statutory requirements.
The full text of the prefiled bill is available on the Alabama Legislature’s website here.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
