HB2266: School attendance requirements; religious purposes

HB2266 strengthens parental rights by requiring school governing boards to allow release time programs—which provide religious instruction—to operate in their districts. Currently, under ARS 15-806 district schools “may” allow students to leave school for an hour a week to receive religious instruction off school grounds. HB2266 changes “may” to “shall”, requiring all district schools to recognize parents’ rights to direct the education of their children.