Press Statement
For Immediate Release: 6.10.26
Contact: John Manning, media@firstliberty.org
Direct: 972-941-4453
Florida Attorney General Issues Opinion Supporting Religious Release Time Education Under Florida Law
Parental requested off-campus religious instruction blocked or hindered by several local school districts.
Tallahassee, FL—Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier issued an opinion yesterday confirming that under federal and state law, public schools across the state are required to allow parent-requested release time for students to attend religious instruction off campus.
Read Attorney General Uthmeier’s opinion here.
Jeremy Dys, Senior Counsel at First Liberty Institute said, “We are grateful that Attorney General Uthmeier has made it clear that release time religious instruction programs must be accessible to all families and are perfectly consistent with the law. For over a century, the Supreme Court has affirmed the right of parents to direct the education and religious upbringing of their children. This opinion serves as a model for how states and local school districts should view release time religious instruction as they work to support and serve parents who entrust part of the education of their children to our public schools.”
Joel Penton, CEO of LifeWise, said, “Release time religious instruction gives families an opportunity to provide Bible-based character education to their children during school hours if they choose. Across Florida and the country, we’re seeing growing demand from parents who want this option for their children. We appreciate Attorney General Uthmeier’s and Sen. Yarborough’s leadership in affirming that this longstanding educational opportunity remains available to Florida families. With greater clarity around the law, we’re excited to work with even more families who see the positive impact of our program.”
The opinion was requested by state Senator Clay Yarborough after several school districts in Florida issued blanket denials for release time programs or instituted restrictions on participation.
The Attorney General concludes, “Florida’s Constitution, statutes, and the relevant case law support the fundamental rights of parents to direct the religious upbringing of their children. And the express language in section 1003.21(2)(b)1.24 requires school boards to adopt policies that grant parental requests to release their children for religious instruction.”
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About First Liberty Institute
First Liberty Institute is the largest legal organization in the nation dedicated exclusively to defending religious freedom for all Americans.
To arrange an interview, contact John Manning at media@firstliberty.org or by calling 972-941-4453.
