[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6608869,"mediaKeyId","2933902-40dd20fbe3255e99b3bb0ef493f5c622","parentId",2933902,"title","Senate committee hears testimony on bill to require school districts to adopt release‑time religious instruction policies; no vote","audioSeconds",1179,"startMs",2415000,"endMs",3594000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2933902-40dd20fbe3255e99b3bb0ef493f5c622&start=2415&end=3594","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2933902-40dd20fbe3255e99b3bb0ef493f5c622/thumbnail_2415000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6608869/Alabama/Senate-committee-hears-testimony-on-bill-to-require-school-districts-to-adopt-releasetime-religious-instruction-policies-no-vote","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608869-44aec7dfced1500ab605e40a285b93c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770651137&Signature=oDxjIutVBtOSNR9fIWLFbXcxg3e-sZIvNVS3JLFvPSXK9J2TWMBDLkmlHntxHOpCGMe~7xZM2ID8XlpsHYpaF4cHEM14k4KTAuxNcdzLIRnGxZYAaGjrWdfzWBd170XUifhERSqsMLpGLSyM-HvTBdZzPK2ADYUCMohd6qqDVssALrUdhR6xe34TpyELa~0CJJF19~CbcxEGQzx4MYR03~xrmO7u7FzM3yIArv5wl1UCd8Dw9RA22SqVcYzjXY9bf0MKZL6y7lzVf5u-yrbcyrJkjStpp3YIT3~bCEgKJKfnz6IFv-sYrd9bepPVFBYxWE6Ua80EgDEjjB3kKQ9eGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alabama Senate Sessions","date","2025-04-09T18:51:39.43Z","article","Senator Shellnut's SB 278 — which would require local school districts to create a policy allowing students to attend off‑site religious instruction during the school day with parental consent, provided faith‑based providers assume liability and transportation and no school funds are used — received a public hearing but no committee vote.

Proponents described existing programs and parental demand. Sunny Cotton, Alabama state director for Lifewise Academy, said Lifewise operates in nearly 600 schools nationwide and that Lifewise and local leaders had been denied policies in multiple Alabama districts; she reported nearly 4,500 statewide petition signatures asking districts to allow the program. Jennifer Riggs and Marty Griffin, representing parents and faith communities, described being rebuffed by local superintendents and school boards and said a statewide policy would remove fear of legal risk for local leaders.

Opponents and questions from committee members focused on local control, instructional time and the bill's mandatory language. Ben Baker, a longtime locally elected superintendent and public‑school leader, argued the bill ‘‘robs local school boards of local control’’ and noted the measure does not define \"religious instruction.\" He said the lack of definition raises practical concerns and could allow non‑Christian or inappropriate religious practices. Ryan Hollingsworth, executive director of School Superintendents of Alabama, opposed the bill on the ground that districts have a limited number of instructional hours and are already charged with numerous statutory requirements; he said parents who prioritize religious instruction typically arrange private schooling, homeschooling or other options outside the state school day.

Senator Smitherman singled out the change of one word from \"may\" to \"shall,\" saying that would impose a requirement on local boards rather than preserve local option and argued the proposal intrudes on home rule and separation questions. Senator Shellnut said the bill is optional for students, requires parental consent, uses no school funds and leaves local boards discretion (for example, on whether to award elective credit).

Committee action and next steps: The committee did not vote on SB 278. The chair said members had many questions and asked members to work with the sponsor; the bill will return to committee for a future vote after members receive additional information.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Alabama Senate Education Policy Committee","oneSentenceSummary","SB 278, which would require districts to adopt a policy allowing student release for off‑site religious instruction with parental consent and without use of school funds, drew both proponents (including Lifewise advocates) and opponents who warned of lost local control; the committee held the bill for further review.","taxTitle","Senate, Alabama Legislative Sessions, Alabama","taxId",62183,"location","Alabama","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6608872,"Senate committee approves bill requiring 'sexual risk‑avoidance' instruction, bans comprehensive curricula in K–12 schools",925,619000,1544000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2933902-40dd20fbe3255e99b3bb0ef493f5c622&start=619&end=1544","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2933902-40dd20fbe3255e99b3bb0ef493f5c622/thumbnail_619000.jpg","/articles/6608872/Alabama/Senate-committee-approves-bill-requiring-sexual-riskavoidance-instruction-bans-comprehensive-curricula-in-K12-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608872-fbc66c32671f5eeb6c338b468dc9200a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770651137&Signature=IEMmqDEevXHZN0lsWKDi-pHivLlr29Uxz2BTASHMYYayeuxM8SaKY0eQTsURtY9rtRO2RoQE5cApsNW9KS2KCgeb0ChpZVqMp0Kbm-MXoTI66wFWEBPBOTm72SMUmJCh83A6v4UJZ~x5~5qonxodpZNALwhF8-kmHttz8JANnwu40H1FnfBTKXa-DuizuDgN0fk~TFGRxK1WVe7k8RCPWTxqRJzkaIww5F6rYElwqZQZyq0osPjjhIlWLwymplQ9HbQKvm8LjwG3ofBmb-8SdDNMjFV7VJ08rcDH3bMRLi7Vy5x1pi~rxVv3u6a1SPwWnn0fKKntdkvOOEg6B9OL6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Shellnut's SB 277, a bill that would require sex‑education programs in public schools to teach a sexual risk‑avoidance (SRA) approach and prohibit comprehensive sex‑education content that promotes contraception or abortion access, received a favorable committee report by a recorded vote of 7–1.

The bill's sponsor told the committee the measure requires parental notification 14 days before any sex‑education content is delivered and allows parents to opt their children out. Sponsor remarks and the substitute language emphasize an SRA approach — described in testimony as ‘‘risk avoidance’’ or primary prevention — and prohibit curricula that, in the sponsor's words, would \"support, demonstrate, or provide access to contraceptives, abortion, [or] graphically explicit material.\"

Why the hearing mattered: The committee heard extended public testimony from organizations and individuals across the state. Most public witnesses who spoke favored the bill and described SRA as a holistic, research‑based approach aimed at delaying sexual activity and promoting life skills. Proponents pointed to local programs and personal experience, while opponents (limited or absent in the hearing record) raised concerns in other forums about comprehensive curricula.

Public testimony highlights:
- Becky Garretson, executive director of Eagle Forum of Alabama, presented lesson examples from comprehensive sex‑education curricula and told the committee one lesson packet for 12‑ to 14‑year‑olds is titled \"How to Make Condoms Pleasurable.\" She said materials in some federally funded county programs include explicit suggested answers and games that she described as inappropriate for that age group.
- Jason Mann, chairman of the Alabama sexual risk‑avoidance education coalition, cited historical research and argued that limiting \"wanton sexual opportunity\" produces healthier cultural outcomes; he told the committee, \"50 percent of all annual STD infections are sexually active teens.\" (Transcript: Jason Mann.)
- Joy Wassel, a former educator who has run an SRA program for more than two decades, described pre/post program survey results and said some students change their intentions about abstinence after SRA programming; she also said the programs discuss contraception \"in the actual efficacy of the population we're teaching\" and that instructors do not create a false sense of security.

Committee action and process: After public testimony, Senator Shellnut moved the bill be given a favorable report; the motion was seconded and a recorded roll returned a committee tally reported as 7–1 in favor. The committee record shows an amendment process and sponsor statements clarifying parental notice and opt‑out procedures.

What the bill would do (as described in committee):
- Require SRA (sexual risk‑avoidance) curriculum consistent with a public‑health primary‑prevention model.
- Require 14‑day parental or guardian notification prior to instruction and provide a parental opt‑out.
- Prohibit curricular elements that support access to contraceptives, abortion, graphically explicit content, or that normalize sexual activity for minors.

Next steps: With a favorable committee report, SB 277 moves to subsequent Senate floor action or additional committee referrals according to chamber rules. The committee record indicates proponents expect the measure to be championed in later stages of the legislative process.

Attribution: Quotes and attributions appear verbatim from committee testimony (Becky Garretson, Jason Mann, Joy Wassel). The committee transcript records the roll call and the motion to report favorably.","SB 277 passed the Senate education committee by a 7–1 vote after a public hearing that featured multiple proponents of a sexual risk‑avoidance (SRA) approach and testimony focusing on public‑health and moral arguments.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6608876,"Senate committee gives favorable reports to six education bills, leaves one for later hearing",2306,120000,2426000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2933902-40dd20fbe3255e99b3bb0ef493f5c622&start=120&end=2426","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2933902-40dd20fbe3255e99b3bb0ef493f5c622/thumbnail_120000.jpg","/articles/6608876/Alabama/Senate-committee-gives-favorable-reports-to-six-education-bills-leaves-one-for-later-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608876-4d7bd7f3408334a9619ba6e9e8b8b9b8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770651137&Signature=NKrnIlgHpnqAu4NafCXutGm23Dh0ygHHT1yMCcGuocSA0aIu3deU-2aOlKUQGUN0qqpA9Je~uuwV-54uPS-gVHPLF-N2NQMqguOGEbW9VeRdf111zQu8EyPuIQt7RZmPMuicO3q1ejuJgN4hsz9PhXVcgYEnisEixk2mHDXsXUyYpsoR-q1kj2FiXRNol1nU2MQUqaTUsFsjafdgqr7vZdTtHmcfG~vFFN98irkfa9K19z9sLhd1sU5F7hfaefh~4OuQdcCaSKcd-O0UHiEmTlm7CwiekFDCAJseeLekvvuUKU4XZkQx8cwDkfxu2YwCQZozhDt-4SUPQ259x~5OXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate education committee on an unspecified date advanced six bills affecting Alabama public schools and held a public hearing on a seventh without a vote.

Committee members gave favorable reports to a substitute for SB 166 (display of the Ten Commandments in public K–12 schools), HB 365 (codifying the governor's STEM council), HB 272 (loan assistance for teachers under a broadened program called LaSia), HB 232 (notification to school leaders about juveniles charged with specified violent crimes) and HB 234 (requiring mobile rapid‑response technology in schools) and approved SB 277 (a sex‑education bill) by recorded vote. SB 278 (a bill encouraging districts to adopt ‘‘release time’’ religious instruction policies) received a public hearing and was not voted on.

Why this matters: The bills touch classroom content and school safety, as well as local procedures for notification about juvenile defendants and state support for teacher shortages. Several measures include deadlines or state rulemaking that would affect local boards and school operations if the full Senate and House act on them.

Key outcomes (committee action):
- SB 166 (Sen. Kelly) — substitute given a favorable report, substitute limits displays to K–12, sets a 11×14 poster format, relies on the State Board of Education to adopt rules and allows local boards to accept donated displays and not use local funds; committee recorded a favorable report by voice/roll as 6–0.
- HB 365 (Rep. Collins) — codifies the existing STEM council; amendment added accounting to listed STEM careers; given a favorable report as amended (voice; no recorded roll in transcript).
- HB 272 (Rep. Collins) — creates LaSia (loan assistance and support of educators in Alabama) to broaden loan‑repayment eligibility where teacher shortages exist; amendment limits administrative costs to 10% and requires evaluation metrics; given a favorable report as amended (voice).
- SB 277 (Sen. Shellnut) — would require sex‑education programs in schools to teach a ‘‘sexual risk‑avoidance’’ (SRA) approach, require 14‑day parental notification and permit opt‑out; committee approved the bill by recorded vote, tally reported in committee as 7–1.
- HB 232 (Rep. Baker) — requires juvenile courts to provide written notice to a superintendent or private school headmaster about juveniles charged with specified violent crimes; passed committee 8–0.
- HB 234 (Rep. Baker) — requires schools to implement mobile rapid‑response technology (panic/emergency buttons or mobile devices that meet bill criteria) on a multi‑year runway and ties effective dates to annual dedicated school‑safety funding; an amendment was adopted (roll 9–0) and the bill was given a favorable report as amended.

Items held or returned for more information:
- SB 278 (Sen. Shellnut) — the committee held a public hearing on a bill that would require school districts to adopt a policy allowing students to attend off‑site religious instruction during the school day with parental consent, no use of school funds and faith‑based providers assuming liability and transportation. Testimony included proponents describing existing programs (Lifewise Academy) and opponents citing local control, instructional time and unclear definitions; committee deferred a vote to a later meeting so members could seek answers on open questions.

What happens next: Favorable reports move bills to the next floor or committee steps in the legislative process. SB 278 will return to the committee for additional review before any committee vote.

Notes on procedure: Several bills were advanced \"as amended\" following sponsor amendments adopted in committee. Where the transcript recorded a roll call, tallies above reflect the recorded count; where the transcript describes \"no objections\" or \"using the previous roll,\" the committee reported the bill by voice or unanimous consent and no roll call total appears in the record.","The Senate education committee advanced six bills affecting K–12 schools — on displays, STEM, teacher loan assistance, juvenile notifications and safety technology — and held a separate public hearing on a release‑time religious instruction bill without voting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate committee hears testimony on bill to require school districts to adopt release‑time religious instruction policies; no vote

Senate committee approves bill requiring 'sexual risk‑avoidance' instruction, bans comprehensive curricula in K–12 schools

Senate committee gives favorable reports to six education bills, leaves one for later hearing