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Bill > HB161
MS HB161
MS HB161"Released-Time Moral Instruction Act of 2025"; enact to permit students to receive religious instruction during the school day.
summary
Introduced
01/10/2025
01/10/2025
In Committee
01/10/2025
01/10/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/04/2025
02/04/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An Act To Create The "released-time Moral Instruction Act Of 2025"; To Authorize Local School Boards To Permit The Released-time Moral Instruction Of Pupils; To Permit School Boards To Complete A Survey To Determine Pupils Within The School District Who Desire Released-time Moral Instruction And Who Have Received Consent From Their Parent Or Legal Guardian For Such Instruction; To Require School Boards To Allow Those Students Desiring Released-time Moral Instruction To Participate In Off-site For At Least One Hour, One Day Each Week; To Prohibit The School District From Providing Or Facilitating Released-time Moral Instruction On School Premises; To Permit Local School Boards To Make Arrangements With The Persons In Charge Of The Released-time Moral Instruction As The Board Deems Necessary And Advisable; To Provide That Students Shall Not Be Penalized Or Considered Absent From The School For Purposes Of Attending Released-time Moral Instruction; To Provide That Students Who Do Not Participate In Released-time Moral Instruction Shall Continue In The Regular Course Of Daily Instruction; To Provide That Released-time Moral Instruction Shall Be Given Without Expense To Any Local School Board Beyond The Cost Of The Original Survey; To Amend Section 37-13-91, Mississippi Code Of 1972, In Conformity To The Preceding Provisions; And For Related Purposes.
AI Summary
This bill establishes the "Released-Time Moral Instruction Act of 2025," which allows local school boards in Mississippi to permit students to receive religious instruction during the school day. Under this legislation, school boards can conduct a survey to identify students who desire such instruction and have parental consent. Students participating in released-time moral instruction will be excused for at least one hour, one day each week, to attend off-site religious instruction at their place of worship or another suitable location. Importantly, no religious instruction can be provided on school premises. Students who participate will not be penalized and will be credited with attendance time, while students who choose not to participate will continue their regular academic studies. The bill specifies that the released-time moral instruction must be conducted without additional expense to the school board beyond the initial survey cost. The legislation amends existing Mississippi school attendance law to formally recognize this released-time moral instruction as a valid reason for student absence, giving local school districts the flexibility to implement such programs while ensuring that students who do not participate are not disadvantaged. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Died In Committee (on 02/04/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB0161.xml |
| BillText | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2025/html/HB/0100-0199/HB0161IN.htm |
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