Bill > SB698

This bill requires school districts in Missouri to establish a policy allowing students to be excused from class to attend religious or moral instruction off school property, with specific guidelines and limitations. Under this policy, students can be excused for up to three class periods per week or 125 class periods per school year, but only with parental consent and under strict conditions. These conditions include: no school district funds or resources can be used for the instruction, the independent entity providing the instruction must maintain attendance records, transportation is the responsibility of the entity or parents, the school district is indemnified against liability, and students are responsible for making up missed schoolwork. Students cannot be excused from core academic classes like English, math, science, or U.S. history. The bill also stipulates that students attending these "released time courses" will be considered in attendance for school funding purposes, and schools must evaluate and potentially award elective credit for these courses using neutral, secular criteria such as instruction time, course syllabus, assessment methods, and instructor qualifications. The policy does not apply to charter schools or virtual schools, and aims to provide a structured framework for students to receive religious or moral instruction outside of regular school hours.

Education

https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=4845583