(a) The state board of education is authorized to approve academic standards for an elective state-funded course consisting of a nonsectarian, nonreligious academic study of the Bible. The course may include the impact of the Bible on literature, art, music, culture and politics. The curriculum and associated textbooks and instructional materials shall meet academic rigor and standards of the state board of education in the same manner as required for approval of any other elective course, textbook and instructional materials approved by the state board and shall meet the requirements of the constitutions of the United States and of this state. The course provided for in this section shall:(1) Be taught in an objective and nondevotional manner with no attempt made to indoctrinate students;(2) Not include teaching of religious doctrine or sectarian interpretation of the Bible or of texts from other religious or cultural traditions; and(3) Not disparage or encourage a commitment to a particular set of religious beliefs.
(1) Be taught in an objective and nondevotional manner with no attempt made to indoctrinate students;
(2) Not include teaching of religious doctrine or sectarian interpretation of the Bible or of texts from other religious or cultural traditions; and
(3) Not disparage or encourage a commitment to a particular set of religious beliefs.
(b) All courses that were taught in the 2007-2008 school year under a special course number in any LEA in the state for an elective course consisting of an academic study of the Bible shall be an approved course by the department of education.
(c) (1) (A) Except as provided in subdivision (c)(1)(B), any course for an academic study of the Bible using a curriculum and instructional materials developed by an LEA or a public charter school must be approved by the local board of education or the public charter school governing body and comply with subdivisions (a)(1)-(3).(B) A course for an academic study of the Bible that was approved by the department before July 1, 2025, is not required to be approved pursuant to subdivision (c)(1)(A).(2) The department of education shall make available on its website:(A) A list identifying each LEA or public charter school that offers a Bible course approved pursuant to subdivision (c)(1); and(B) The academic standards for a Bible course that have been approved by the state board of education under subsection (a).(3) Each LEA and public charter school shall make available on its website all Bible course curricula, including a list of instructional materials, developed by the LEA or public charter school that have been approved by the local board of education or public charter school governing body.(4) The state board of education shall include in its list of approved high school courses an elective Bible course developed pursuant to this section.(5) The department shall notify each LEA and public charter school in writing, no later than July 1 of each year, of the LEA's or public charter school's ability to offer an elective state-funded Bible course consisting of a nonsectarian, nonreligious academic study of the Bible in accordance with this section, and the ability of an LEA or public charter school to develop its own Bible course curriculum.
(1) (A) Except as provided in subdivision (c)(1)(B), any course for an academic study of the Bible using a curriculum and instructional materials developed by an LEA or a public charter school must be approved by the local board of education or the public charter school governing body and comply with subdivisions (a)(1)-(3).(B) A course for an academic study of the Bible that was approved by the department before July 1, 2025, is not required to be approved pursuant to subdivision (c)(1)(A).
(A) Except as provided in subdivision (c)(1)(B), any course for an academic study of the Bible using a curriculum and instructional materials developed by an LEA or a public charter school must be approved by the local board of education or the public charter school governing body and comply with subdivisions (a)(1)-(3).
(B) A course for an academic study of the Bible that was approved by the department before July 1, 2025, is not required to be approved pursuant to subdivision (c)(1)(A).
(2) The department of education shall make available on its website:(A) A list identifying each LEA or public charter school that offers a Bible course approved pursuant to subdivision (c)(1); and(B) The academic standards for a Bible course that have been approved by the state board of education under subsection (a).
(A) A list identifying each LEA or public charter school that offers a Bible course approved pursuant to subdivision (c)(1); and
(B) The academic standards for a Bible course that have been approved by the state board of education under subsection (a).
(3) Each LEA and public charter school shall make available on its website all Bible course curricula, including a list of instructional materials, developed by the LEA or public charter school that have been approved by the local board of education or public charter school governing body.
(4) The state board of education shall include in its list of approved high school courses an elective Bible course developed pursuant to this section.
(5) The department shall notify each LEA and public charter school in writing, no later than July 1 of each year, of the LEA's or public charter school's ability to offer an elective state-funded Bible course consisting of a nonsectarian, nonreligious academic study of the Bible in accordance with this section, and the ability of an LEA or public charter school to develop its own Bible course curriculum.
(d) An LEA or public charter school that elects to offer a course and utilize an associated textbook or instructional materials approved in accordance with subsection (a) shall implement the course in accordance with the constitutions of the United States and of this state, including the manner in which the course is taught in the classroom and the assignment by the LEA or public charter school of the individual teaching the course. The individual assigned to teach the course shall meet all certification requirements and all other provisions of this chapter relating to personnel employed by local units of administration. In addition, no person shall be assigned to teach the course based in whole or in part on any religious test, profession of faith or lack of faith, prior or present religious affiliation or lack of affiliation, or criteria involving particular beliefs or lack of beliefs about the Bible or in violation of § 49-6-2906 or part 80 of this chapter.
(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed as mandating that an LEA or public charter school use the curriculum developed under subsection (a) for an academic study of the Bible or prohibiting an LEA or public charter school from adopting its own curriculum for an academic study of the Bible; provided, that any academic study of the Bible so offered shall be approved as a special course according to the rules of the state board of education and in compliance with the constitutions of the United States and of this state.