Category: Secular Public Education
Bill Summary
Would allow religious groups to pull students from class for religious instruction in public schools. Would expose students to religious indoctrinationtion by forcing every school district to let private religious programs take children off-campus for religious instruction.
Released time programs were originally designed to accommodate religious families, but these olicies have been exploited by religious groups like LifeWise Academy, a Christian nationalist organization that treats public schools as mission fields where they can minister to students without their families present. Forcing schools to allow such unregulated programs takes instruction time away from students and exposes nonreligious, LGBTQIA+, and other students who don’t agree or participate to bullying and harassment.
Our Position
OPPOSE
Link to Bill:
https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/57leg/2R/bills/SB1741P.htm
Bill Sponsor:
Peterson