This bill modifies existing laws regarding students attending courses in religious instruction provided by private organizations. It introduces new provisions that allow school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to adopt policies for awarding academic credit for such courses. The bill specifies that these policies must not consider the religious content or denominational affiliation of the course when determining if it meets educational program requirements. Additionally, it outlines the criteria for schools to excuse students from attendance for up to five hours per week to attend these courses, provided certain conditions are met, such as notification to the school and maintenance of attendance records by the private organization.

Furthermore, the bill addresses chronic absenteeism by stating that absences related to attending religious instruction courses will not count towards truancy. It allows parents or guardians to take civil action against school districts for violations of these provisions, with the possibility of recovering court costs and attorney fees if they prevail. The bill aims to ensure that students can participate in religious instruction without negatively impacting their educational attendance records while also providing a framework for schools to recognize these courses academically.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 256E.7, 279.87, 299.1, 299.12