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Senate approves optional school "release time" for religious instruction with background‑check amendment
Summary
The Senate passed SB 112 allowing K–12 schools to adopt voluntary release‑time policies for religious instruction with parental approval; the floor added an amendment requiring criminal background checks for instructors. Vote: 34–0.
Senator Hodges presented SB 112, a bill authorizing public schools to adopt optional "release time" policies that permit parental approval for students to leave campus for religious instruction. The sponsor said the program would be voluntary and would not compel local schools to adopt a policy.
On the floor an amendment (proposed at the request of state police) was adopted to require criminal background checks for any instructor or person with direct contact with students. After adopting the amendment, the Senate passed the bill on a recorded vote of 34 yeas and 0 nays. Senator Hodges said he drew support from testimony in committee and noted the measure is permissive rather than mandatory for local districts.
Supporters framed the bill as protecting parental choice and clarifying permissive policy; opponents raised no recorded objections after the background‑check amendment was adopted. The measure moves to enrollment and transmittal after final passage.
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