If Nebraska lawmakers approve a proposed bill, public school students could soon start receiving time-released Bible instruction during the school day.
Nate Grasz, executive director of the Nebraska Family Alliance, says LB 550 would make his state the 31st to allow students to attend off-campus religious education courses that align with their family values.
"This is all about protecting parental rights and students' First Amendment freedoms to receive religious instruction and to have the opportunity to learn about the Bible during the school day," he tells AFN.
This program has existed in dozens of states for decades. He says it is all about parents' right to direct their own children's education, including their spiritual formation.
"No public funds are used whatsoever," Grasz notes. "The parents and the sponsoring entity are responsible for transportation and all the liability. Schools don't have to do anything other than just simply allow students to receive religious instruction off school property."
Similar legislation was introduced last year in Nebraska and did not receive a vote, but Grasz is optimistic it will become law this year.
