Youngstown Times

State Rep. Al Cutrona (R-Canfield) has introduced legislation that would mandate school district boards of education in Ohio to implement a policy allowing students to be excused from school to attend religious release time programs. Cutrona stated, "More and more parents in Ohio would like their children to participate in religious release time programs." He emphasized the importance of proactive consideration by school districts in developing policies to accommodate such programs within the academic framework, stating, “By being proactive in considering how release time programs work before groups of parents ask for an option, school districts will be in the best position to tailor a program that works within the academic framework of the district.”

The proposed legislation aims to ensure that school districts in Ohio are prepared for the potential demand for release time options by creating a policy to regulate such activities in the future. Notably, in 2014, the Ohio General Assembly passed a bipartisan bill that established a framework in state law for religious release time programs.

As per current Ohio law, release time programs must be conducted by a third party off school premises, with the third party handling transportation to and from the release time location. Participation in a release time program is contingent upon parental enrollment of the child. The legislation is currently pending a bill number and assignment to a House committee.