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🚨 LOUISIANA ALERT: SB112 (Released Time Religious Instruction)

Louisiana just introduced SB112, a bill that would create the state’s first law explicitly allowing Released Time Religious Instruction (RTRI).

Here’s what it does — and why it matters.

🟡 It’s a “may” bill.
SB112 wouldn’t mandate release time, but it would formally codify RTRI into Louisiana law for the first time. Right now, the state relies only on older federal precedent (Zorach v. Clauson). This would move Louisiana from a no-law state → statutory RTRI state.

🚨 Schools become more directly involved.
Unlike many states, the school board creates the consent form, pulling districts deeper into administration instead of keeping providers at arm’s length.

🚨 Aggressive “equal access” language.
The bill says if schools allow outside groups access to facilities, they cannot deny released-time providers — with language that could extend to public benefits or services. That raises serious concerns under longstanding church–state precedent.

🚨 Creates a pathway for academic credit.
SB112 directs the Department of Education to create a course credit code for released-time classes. Once religion enters transcript systems, adoption tends to accelerate.

🚨 Explicitly includes charter schools.
The bill amends charter law to ensure RTRI applies there too — a deliberate expansion.

🚨 Background checks ≠ school-level safeguards.
The bill references Louisiana’s Child Protection Act, but this is not a childcare licensing framework and does not create the same regulatory structure as public schools.

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🚨 Why this matters:
Even without a mandate, SB112 would normalize RTRI in state law, create credit pathways, and expand it into charter systems. In many states, “may” bills are the first step toward broader expansion.

We’ll continue tracking SB112 and providing plain-language analysis as it develops.

📄 Read the bill: https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=1442177

⭐️ If you know educators, parents, or advocates in Louisiana, share this so people are aware early.

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