Shelnutt prefiles bill requiring local school boards to offer released-time credit for religious instruction

State Sen. Shay Shelnutt (R-Trussville) has prefiled legislation for the 2026 session that would require all public school districts in the state to grant elective credit to students who attend private religious instruction during the school day. Senate Bill 4, titled the Alabama Released Time Credit Act, was prefiled on May 22 and is scheduled to be formally read into the Senate record on January 13, 2026. It will be taken up by the Senate Education Policy Committee when the Legislature convenes next year. Currently, Alabama law allows local boards of education to award elective credit to stu