A controversial bill requiring public schools in Montana to allow children to attend religious instruction for at least one hour per week has passed through the House and is now headed to the Senate. Sponsored by Rep. Randyn Gregg, the bill narrowly passed through the Education committee and the House. Gregg presented the bill as an opportunity for religious families to choose public schools over homeschooling or private education.
The bill changes the word in the law from “may” to “shall,” making it mandatory for districts to allow time for released religious instruction and even allows schools to provide academic credit for that time. While some legislators expressed concerns about the review process and potential entanglement of religion in schools, Gregg defended the bill as a way to strengthen the relationship between schools and families.
Support for the bill came from the Alliance Defending Freedom, while opposition came from the Coalition of Advocates for Montana Public Schools, which includes the Montana School Boards Association and the School Administrators of Montana. Another bill introduced on the same day, House Bill 471 by Rep. Jedediah Hinkle, would require written parental permission for any instruction on “identity.” This bill aims to make identity instruction a parental opt-in, sparking debate on the role of schools in providing comprehensive education to students.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
