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Religious release‑time credit measure fails in committee after heated hearing and amendments (HB343)
Summary
House Bill 343, which would require districts to allow religious release time and permit local districts to award academic credit for qualifying release-time programs, failed in a 7–7 committee vote after extensive testimony both for and against and debate about Native American and constitutional concerns.
House Bill 343 would change state code to require school districts to allow religious release‑time programs (off school grounds, with parental consent) and to permit districts to adopt policies awarding academic credit for such programs provided secular evaluation criteria are met.
Representative Randon Gregg opened the bill and described the constitutional and historical background for release‑time programs. Proponents included community members, Lifewise…
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