Governor Approves Religious Instruction During School Hours
Oklahoma’s newly enacted law permits public school students to opt for off-campus religious instruction during regular school hours. Governor Kevin Stitt, a Republican, signed House Bill 1425 into law following its passage in the Republican-controlled Legislature, with the Senate voting 38-7 and the House of Representatives voting 51-40.
The law empowers school district boards to establish policies allowing students to be excused from school for up to three class periods per week or a total of 125 class periods per year to attend religious or moral instruction provided by independent entities off school premises. However, it mandates that written consent from a student’s parent or legal guardian must be obtained beforehand and prohibits the use of school resources or personnel for such instruction.
Additionally, the law requires independent entities offering released-time courses to maintain attendance records, make them accessible to school districts, and indemnify districts against liabilities arising from activities conducted off school property. Parents are responsible for transporting students to and from these courses, and students must make up any missed schoolwork.
School administrators are granted discretion in scheduling released-time courses, and boards of education may award academic credit based on various criteria, including classroom instruction time, course requirements, assessment methods, and instructor qualifications.
While the bill garnered support from both Republicans and one Democrat in the Senate, it faced opposition from 25 Republicans in the House. Greg Chafuen, legal counsel for the Alliance Defending Freedom, applauded the legislation, asserting that parents have the right to choose religious education for their children.
Oklahoma joins other states like Ohio in permitting off-campus religious instruction during school hours. However, such programs have drawn criticism from organizations like the Freedom From Religion Foundation, which raised concerns about students missing valuable academic instruction and facing potential repercussions for non-participation.
Despite these objections, the United States Supreme Court has previously upheld the constitutionality of released-time programs, emphasizing the government’s neutrality toward religion and its recognition of individuals’ rights to religious education and expression.