HB763: "Released-Time Moral Instruction Act of 2025"; enact to permit students to receive religious instruction during the school day.

Legislative 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.