Oklahoma bill may allow credit for religious instruction during school hours
TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — If signed into law House Bill 1425 would allow public school students to receive school credit for attending religious or moral instruction during school hours.
The bill's author, Representative Clay Staires, says that legislation of this nature isn't new, and this bill simply gives schools a guideline to approach this sort of instruction.
“In Oklahoma, there is already a law, a statute in place through the Oklahoma Parents Bill of Rights that says that students can be excused from school for religious education. The issue is that law, that statute is unclear, there’s no instruction no guidelines no guard rails on how to do that," said Staires.
The bill would require school boards to decide independently on the criteria that outside religious instructors must meet and the school would no longer be responsible for the student during the time of their release for said instruction.
Additionally, transportation would be the responsibility of the student, parent, or outside entity.
“There is a federal Supreme Court decision from all the way back in 1952, that gives specific instructions on how to do it. House Bill 1425 takes those instructions and puts them into Oklahoma statutes so there is clarity for Oklahoma Public Schools to know how to implement this law," said Staires.
Some parents have pushed back against the bill passing, voicing their concerns.
One parent who chose to remain anonymous said, "Religion is not an academic study or requirement that is approved by state or federal academic requirements. School is school, church is church, it’s so simple, so basic. and I don’t understand why our legislation cannot get it through their head.”
Staires maintains that if passed, outside religious instruction during school hours would be completely optional and would rely solely on parents' requests for it to be implemented.
The bill will now make its way to be heard on the House floor.