summary
Introduced
01/27/2025
01/27/2025
In Committee
03/06/2025
03/06/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT To amend Subpart 2 of Part 1 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to compulsory attendance, so as to provide for public school students to be permitted to attend courses in religious moral instruction provided by a person or organization independently of a public school, subject to certain conditions; to provide for such conditions; to provide for students to receive academic credit for such courses; to require local education agencies to adopt certain policies; to prohibit students who participate in such courses from being counted as absent from school; to provide for responsibilities of the Department of Education; to require criminal records checks; to provide for immunity; to provide for definitions; to provide for a short title; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
AI Summary
This bill introduces the Student Character Development Act, which allows public school students to attend religious moral instruction courses (called "released time courses") provided by external organizations, subject to specific conditions. Local education agencies may adopt policies permitting students to be excused from school for up to one hour per week to attend these courses, requiring parental consent, maintained attendance records, and student-or-parent-managed transportation. The bill mandates that these courses cannot be held on public school property unless under a neutral community access policy, and students must take responsibility for any missed schoolwork. Local education agencies can choose to award academic credit for these courses based on strictly secular evaluation criteria, such as instruction hours, course syllabus, assessment methods, and instructor qualifications. The bill requires criminal background checks for course instructors and explicitly states that students participating in these courses will not be counted as absent from school. Additionally, the bill provides liability protection for school agencies and directs the Department of Education to maximize funding for local agencies and develop model policies for implementing released time courses. The legislation aims to provide a structured framework for students to receive religious moral instruction while maintaining educational standards and administrative neutrality.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (6)
James Burchett (R)*,
Johnny Chastain (R)*,
David Clark (R)*,
Matthew Gambill (R)*,
Scott Hilton (R)*,
Mack Jackson (D)*,
Last Action
House Withdrawn, Recommitted (on 04/04/2025)
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://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69532 |
BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/235322 |
BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/230374 |
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