COLUMBUS, Ohio-House Bill 445 in Ohio proposes that public schools must allow students to attend off-campus religious instruction, prohibiting schools from preventing such absences. Sponsored by former Rep. Al Cutrona and Rep. Gary Click, the bill asserts parents’ right to direct their child’s religious education. Current law permits excusing students for religious instruction but doesn’t mandate school policies supporting it. Released time programs under Ohio law require parental permission, attendance tracking by the organization, student transportation responsibility, no use of public funds or school staff involvement, and student accountability for missed schoolwork.
