ATTENDANCE & ENROLLMENT
5B1049
EXCUSED ABSENCES FOR RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION
Effective September 1, 2025
• Requires school districts to excuse student absences for participation in religious instruction provided by a private entity, upon a parent ' s request, for at least one hour and no more than five hours per week
• Requires districts to adopt a policy by January 1, 2026, outlining the conditions under which such absences will be excused
• Requires the policy to include written parental consent; requires the private entity to maintain attendance records and provide them to the district; requires the parent, student, or private entity to arrange and provide transportation
• Requires the private entity to take responsibility for the student and assume liability during instruction
• Requires the student to complete any missed schoolwork
• Prohibits the use of district funds to support or facilitate the religious instruction
• Prohibits the private entity from offering the instruction on district property unless under a content-neutral policy that allows equal access to all community groups
• Prohibits the district from interfering with a parent ' s ability to request or obtain religious instruction for their child
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