S.B. No. 1049 amends the Texas Education Code to allow for excused absences from public school for students attending released time courses, which are defined as religious instruction courses offered by private entities. The bill specifies that school districts and open-enrollment charter schools must excuse students for attending these courses for a duration of one to five hours per week, provided that a parent or legal guardian requests the absence. Additionally, the bill outlines requirements for school districts to adopt policies regarding these absences, including the necessity for parental consent, maintenance of attendance records by the private entity, and the assumption of transportation and liability responsibilities.

The bill also includes specific prohibitions, such as preventing school districts from using funds to facilitate the provision of released time courses and restricting the private entities from offering these courses on school property unless under a neutral access policy. The new policy must be adopted by all school districts and charter schools by January 1, 2026, and the act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 25.087 (Education Code 25)
Senate Committee Report: Education Code 25.087 (Education Code 25)
Engrossed: Education Code 25.087 (Education Code 25)
House Committee Report: Education Code 25.087 (Education Code 25)
Enrolled: Education Code 25.087 (Education Code 25)