Relating to excused absences from public school for the purpose of attending a released time course.
Summary
SB 1049 amends the Texas Education Code to require school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to excuse a student’s absence, at a parent or guardian’s request, so the student may attend a “released time course” in religious instruction offered by a private entity. The bill allows up to five hours per week of excused absence for this purpose, and it adds released time attendance to the list of statutorily excused absences.
The bill also requires each district and charter school to adopt a policy governing these absences by January 1, 2026. Those policies must require written parental consent, attendance records from the private provider, transportation arrangements outside the school’s responsibility, liability coverage by the private entity while the student is in its care, and student responsibility for missed schoolwork. The policy may not use district funds beyond de minimis costs to facilitate the program, and it may not prohibit the private entity from using school property if a neutral equal-access policy already allows community organizations to do so.
Impact
SB 1049 changes state law by creating a new excused-absence category in Section 25.087 of the Education Code and by adding Section 25.0875 to authorize released time religious instruction during the school day. It affects public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools statewide, requiring them to adopt compliant policies and to treat these absences as excused when the statutory conditions are met. The bill also preserves limits intended to separate the program from school sponsorship or financial support, and it applies to both general public schools and charter schools.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have received generally favorable support, as reflected in its passage in both chambers and its final enactment. It passed the Senate 30-1 and the House 123-12, indicating broad bipartisan approval despite some opposition. The voting history suggests the measure was not highly controversial overall, though it did draw enough dissent to show that some lawmakers were concerned about the policy’s implications.
Contention
The main points of contention likely centered on the role of religion in public schools, the use of instructional time for private religious education, and whether school districts should be required to accommodate such absences. Opponents may have been concerned about separation-of-church-and-state issues, administrative burdens, and the possibility of indirect school support for private religious instruction. Supporters likely emphasized parental choice, religious liberty, and the bill’s safeguards limiting school funding, requiring parental consent, and keeping transportation and liability with the private provider or family.
requiring schools to provide excused absences for certain religious instruction, defining released time courses, and permitting schools to adopt policies and provide credit for released time courses.
Relating to the authority of the Wood County Central Hospital District of Wood County, Texas, to provide brain and memory care services to residents of the hospital district through the creation and operation of brain and memory health care services districts.