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AlabamaSB2482026 Regular SessionSenate

Religious instruction; elective credit for release time further provided for

Sponsored By: Shay Shelnutt (Republican)

Enacted

Education

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Alabama families gain religious instruction options

Beginning July 1, 2026, Alabama school boards must allow parents to choose religious instruction during the public-school day. A church or local religious group must provide it off school property. Boards may deny participation for evidence-based risks of serious physical harm, including risks from a sponsor breaking state law. Students cannot miss required minimum class time or legally required interventions, but the blanket ban on leaving core classes ends. Released time counts as school attendance; elective credit follows state rules, minimum attendance standards, and the school system's normal elective-credit limit. Sponsors, parents, or students must handle transportation, including for students with disabilities; school staff cannot arrange, coordinate, or provide it.

New religious instruction rules for families

Beginning July 1, 2026, Alabama's state and local school boards must adopt policies for religious released-time programs. Policies may require written parent consent and one checkout authorization for the school year, rather than a form each session. They may require sponsors to share attendance records, assume liability, and check criminal histories of workers with direct, ongoing student contact. Policies may also bar school sponsorship, supervision, or staff-provided religious instruction and limit public spending to very small administrative costs. Students may be responsible for missed schoolwork; these policy conditions are allowed, not required in every district.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Shay Shelnutt

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 380 • No: 6

Senate vote • 4/1/2026

Shelnutt Motion to Concur In and Adopt House Amendment to SB248

Yes: 32 • No: 0

House vote • 4/1/2026

Third Reading in Second House

Yes: 98 • No: 0 • Other: 3

House vote • 3/31/2026

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1085

Yes: 103 • No: 0

House vote • 3/31/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1086

Yes: 66 • No: 0 • Other: 32

Senate vote • 2/19/2026

Shelnutt motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 499

Yes: 26 • No: 3

Senate vote • 2/19/2026

Third Reading in House of Origin

Yes: 26 • No: 3

Senate vote • 2/19/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 500

Yes: 29 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Enacted

    4/8/2026Senate

  2. Third Reading in Second House

    4/1/2026House

  3. Shelnutt Motion to Concur In and Adopt House Amendment to SB248

    4/1/2026Senate

  4. Ready to Enroll

    4/1/2026Senate

  5. Enrolled

    4/1/2026Senate

  6. Delivered to Governor

    4/1/2026Senate

  7. Signature Requested

    4/1/2026House

  8. Education Policy Engrossed Substitute Offered

    3/31/2026House

  9. Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1085

    3/31/2026House

  10. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1086

    3/31/2026House

  11. Reported Out of Committee Second House

    3/11/2026House

  12. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    3/11/2026House

  13. Third Reading in House of Origin

    2/19/2026Senate

  14. Education Policy 1st Amendment Offered

    2/19/2026Senate

  15. Shelnutt motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 499

    2/19/2026Senate

  16. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 500

    2/19/2026Senate

  17. Engrossed

    2/19/2026Senate

  18. Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Education Policy

    2/19/2026House

  19. Pending Committee Action in Second House

    2/19/2026House

  20. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    2/12/2026Senate

  21. Education Policy 1st Amendment

    2/11/2026Senate

  22. Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

    2/11/2026Senate

  23. Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Education Policy

    2/3/2026Senate

  24. Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

    2/3/2026Senate

Bill Text

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