By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona public schools would be required to allow students to attend off-campus religious instruction during the school day with parental consent under a Republican-backed bill approved by the Legislature and sent to Gov. Katie Hobbs.
The Arizona Released Time Education Act, SB 1741, sponsored by Senate President Warren Petersen (R-LD14), would require school district governing boards and charter school governing bodies to allow students to attend released time courses during regular school hours if the program meets statutory requirements. The measure was transmitted to the governor on June 10.
Under the bill, schools would be required to allow students to participate in released time courses if the school receives written consent from the student’s parent. Course providers would be required to keep attendance records, provide copies of those records to the school, assume legal responsibility for students while they are under the provider’s control, and provide religious instruction for at least one hour and no more than five hours per week.
The legislation requires released time course providers, participating students, or parents to provide any necessary transportation. Students would remain responsible for completing any other schoolwork missed while attending the released-time course.
“Parents have the fundamental right to direct the upbringing and education of their children, including their religious education,” Petersen said. “For generations, families have taught faith and values at home and in their communities. This legislation simply ensures government does not stand in the way when parents choose to incorporate religious instruction into their child’s education.”
The bill would require schools to award academic credit to students who successfully complete a released time course. School districts and charter schools would determine how much credit to award using only secular criteria that are substantially similar to those used to evaluate comparable courses, including classroom instructional time, course requirements, instructional materials, and student assessments.
The measure also provides that time spent in a released time course during regular school hours would count as instructional time and instructional hours for purposes of state requirements, average daily membership, and daily attendance calculations.
Released time courses could not be provided on school property, and school districts and charter schools could not incur expenses to provide the courses. The bill also states that schools may not deny released-time course providers equal access to money, benefits, or services that schools provide to other community groups or independent entities.
Arizona law already recognizes parents’ right to have a child excused from school attendance for religious purposes under A.R.S. 15-102. SB 1741 would add new requirements governing released-time courses for school districts and charter schools.
The bill also creates a private cause of action allowing a person adversely affected by a violation to seek injunctive relief, monetary damages, court costs, attorney fees, and other relief available under law against the school district or charter school.
Petersen said the legislation is intended to strengthen parental choice while preserving safeguards around school costs and student responsibility.
“SB 1741 respects religious liberty, strengthens parental choice, and recognizes that parents, not bureaucrats, are best positioned to decide what is right for their children,” Petersen said.
The bill passed the Senate on Feb. 25 by a 16-10 vote and passed the House on June 9 by a 31-24 vote.
The proposal drew opposition from Democrats and secular advocacy groups during the legislative process. Rep. Nancy Gutierrez (D-LD18) argued during House debate that off-campus religious instruction would take away from instructional time, while Rep. Matt Gress (R-LD4) said the bill would be voluntary and require parental approval.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
