(a) This section shall be known and may be cited as the Alabama Released Time Credit Act.
(b) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1) That the United States Supreme Court, in its decision in Zorach v. Clauson, 343 U.S. 306 (1952), upheld the constitutionality of released time programs for religious instruction for public school students during the school day.
(2) That the United States Constitution and state law allows local school districts to offer religious released time education for the benefit of public school students.
(3) That the purpose of this section is to incorporate a constitutionally acceptable method of allowing school districts to offer released time classes and, in grades where credit is earned, to award students elective credit for classes taken during the school day in released time programs.
(c) As used in this section, the term released time means a period of time during the school day when a student is allowed to participate in an elective course in religious instruction, conducted off school district property, by a private entity.
(d) The State Board of Education shall adopt and each local board of education may implement a policy for a student to attend released time as an elective course if all of the following are satisfied:
(1) The parent or guardian of the student gives written consent.
(2) The sponsoring entity maintains attendance records and makes them available to the public school the student attends.
(3) The sponsoring entity makes provisions for and assumes liability for the student who is excused for released time.
(4) No public funds are expended other than de minimis administrative costs.
(5) No public school personnel are involved in providing the religious instruction.
(e) In grades where credit is earned, a student who participates in released time may earn elective course credit for participation, as provided by rules adopted by the State Board of Education for elective courses. Credit awarded may not exceed normal credit given for an elective course in the particular school system. The State Board of Education shall also adopt minimum standards for class attendance necessary to qualify for credit.
(f) A student who participates in religious instruction for elective credit during released time shall be credited with time spent as if the student attended school, and the time shall be calculated as part of the actual school day.
(g) Transportation to and from the place of released time, including transportation for any student with disabilities, is the complete responsibility of the sponsoring private entity, parent, guardian, or student and may not be arranged, coordinated, or provided for by public school personnel.
(h) No student may be released from a required core curriculum class to attend released time.
Structure Code of Alabama
Chapter 1 - General Provisions.
Section 16-1-2.1 - New School Construction to Include Approved Safe Space or Hallway.
Section 16-1-2.5 - (Effective February 1, 2022) Contracts.
Section 16-1-3 - Photographing or Microphotographing Records - Authorized; Force and Effect.
Section 16-1-5 - Photographing or Microphotographing Records - Intent.
Section 16-1-6 - Association of School Board Members.
Section 16-1-7 - Eye Protective Devices for Pupils and Teachers Participating in Certain Courses.
Section 16-1-8.1 - Classroom Instructional Support.
Section 16-1-10 - Selling, etc., Alcoholic Beverages to School Children; Keeping on School Premises.
Section 16-1-11 - Private Schools to Register and Report;.
Section 16-1-11.1 - Autonomy of Nonpublic Schools - Legislative Findings.
Section 16-1-11.3 - Autonomy of Nonpublic Schools - Applicability of Statutory Requirements.
Section 16-1-11.5 - Teacher Certification.
Section 16-1-11.6 - Membership of Nonpublic Schools in Alabama High School Athletic Association.
Section 16-1-13 - Teaching Pupils of Disparate Ability, Background and Achievement.
Section 16-1-15 - Classification and Grouping of Pupils Upon Consideration of Social Attitudes, Etc.
Section 16-1-16 - Special Courses, Tutoring, Counseling, etc., for Special Groups of Pupils.
Section 16-1-16.1 - Alabama Council on Family and Children.
Section 16-1-17 - Contest of Certain Elections.
Section 16-1-18.1 - Accumulation of Sick Leave.
Section 16-1-18.2 - Payment for Unused Sick Leave Upon Death of Employee.
Section 16-1-20 - Period of Silence for Meditation at Beginning of First Class in Public Schools.
Section 16-1-20.1 - Period of Silence for Meditation.
Section 16-1-20.2 - School Prayer.
Section 16-1-20.3 - Student-Initiated Voluntary Prayer.
Section 16-1-20.4 - Period of Quiet Reflection.
Section 16-1-20.5 - Protection of Student Religious Liberties.
Section 16-1-20.6 - Released Time for Student Participation in Religious Instruction.
Section 16-1-22 - Audit of Certain Institutions.
Section 16-1-23 - Hazing Prohibited; Penalty.
Section 16-1-24.2 - Department of Education to Develop Statewide Violence Prevention Program.
Section 16-1-25.1 - Access by Professional Educators' Associations.
Section 16-1-26 - Compensation of School Board Members.
Section 16-1-27 - Use of Electronic Communication Devices on School Property.
Section 16-1-30 - Written Educational Policies, Rules and Regulations of Local Boards of Education.
Section 16-1-31 - Elective Course Credit for Participation in Ymca Youth and Government Programs.
Section 16-1-32 - Debit Cards; Authorized Uses; Transaction Fees.
Section 16-1-33 - Written Reduction-in-Force Policy.
Section 16-1-35 - Governor's Academic Achievement Program.
Section 16-1-36 - Tutoring Programs for Students Accessed Below Average Sat Scores.
Section 16-1-37 - Issuance of High School Diplomas to Certain Honorably Discharged Veterans.
Section 16-1-39 - Self-Administration of Medications by Student.
Section 16-1-40 - Education Trust Fund Proration Relief.
Section 16-1-41 - Orientation and Training for Members of Local Board of Education.
Section 16-1-41.1 - School Board Governance Improvement.
Section 16-1-42 - High School Fast Track to College Program.
Section 16-1-43 - Waiver of Undergraduate Tuition and Fees for Purple Heart Recipients.
Section 16-1-44 - School Emergency Operations Plans.
Section 16-1-44.1 - School Security Personnel and School Resource Officers.
Section 16-1-44.2 - Electronic Notification System.
Section 16-1-45 - Automated External Defibrillator Requirements.
Section 16-1-46 - Farm-to-School Procurement Processes and Procedures.
Section 16-1-48 - Anaphylaxis Preparedness Program.
Section 16-1-50 - Possession and Use of Over-the-Counter Sunscreen by Students.
Section 16-1-52 - Participation in Athletic Events to Be Based on Biological Sex of Athletes.
Section 16-1-53 - Broadcast of Public K-12 School Sporting Events.