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Bill > HB1474
MS HB1474
MS HB1474"Released-Time Moral Instruction Act of 2026"; enact to permit students to receive religious instruction during the school day.
summary
Introduced
01/19/2026
01/19/2026
In Committee
01/19/2026
01/19/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/03/2026
02/03/2026
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An Act To Create The "released-time Moral Instruction Act Of 2026"; 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, known as the "Released-Time Moral Instruction Act of 2026," allows local school boards in Mississippi to permit students to receive religious instruction during the school day. School boards can survey students to identify those who wish to participate and have parental consent, and then allow these students to be excused for at least one hour per week to attend off-site religious instruction at their place of worship or another suitable location, with the instruction not being provided on school grounds. Students participating in this program will not be penalized for any missed schoolwork and will be considered present for attendance purposes, while students who do not participate will continue with their regular school day. The cost to school boards for this program is limited to the expense of the initial survey, and the bill also amends existing law regarding compulsory school attendance to include excused absences for participation in approved released-time moral instruction programs.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Died In Committee (on 02/03/2026)
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/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB1474.xml |
| BillText | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2026/html/HB/1400-1499/HB1474IN.htm |
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