New Hampshire HB1628 requires schools to excuse students for religious instruction and to award credit for such courses.

New Hampshire HB1628 mandates that public schools excuse students from school for religious instruction, known as released time courses, with parental consent. Schools must adopt policies to facilitate this excusal without interfering with parental requests. The bill defines released time courses as religious instruction taught by independent entities, held off-site, with no school funding used. Schools must award academic credit for these courses based on secular criteria, such as classroom hours and instructor qualifications, and recognize credits from accredited providers.

New Hampshire HB1628 requires schools to excuse students for religious instruction and to award credit for such courses.

New Hampshire HB1628 mandates that public schools excuse students from school for religious instruction, known as released time courses, with parental consent. Schools must adopt policies to facilitate this excusal without interfering with parental requests. The bill defines released time courses as religious instruction taught by independent entities, held off-site, with no school funding used. Schools must award academic credit for these courses based on secular criteria, such as classroom hours and instructor qualifications, and recognize credits from accredited providers.