The bill introduces the "Released Time Education Act" to the Arkansas Code, specifically adding a new section, 6-18-237. This section defines a "released time course" as a religious moral instruction course taught by an independent entity, for which students can be excused from school. It specifies that the term "school" includes both public school districts and open-enrollment public charter schools.
Under the provisions of the act, schools are required to excuse students from attendance to participate in these released time courses upon the request of a parent, legal guardian, or person in loco parentis. Students can be excused for a minimum of one hour and a maximum of five hours each week to attend these courses. This legislation aims to formalize the process by which students can receive religious moral instruction outside of the traditional school setting.