Christian parents in Montana now have a legally protected pathway to ensure their children receive the spiritual nourishment they need during the school day.
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, R, has signed into law a bill that requires public schools to allow students to be released during the school day for religious instruction, a move supporters say protects parental rights and religious freedom in education.
House Bill 343 changes the state’s existing law from allowing school districts to offer released time for religious instruction to requiring it. The law mandates that schools excuse students for at least one hour per week of religious instruction, provided parents submit written permission.
“For many families, faith is an important part of their children’s upbringing,” said Rep. Randy Gregg, R, who sponsored the bill. “Without options like time-released religious instruction, some parents feel they have no choice but to leave public schools for private or home education.”
The bill passed the Montana House in early March by a vote of 56-42 and cleared the Senate on April 18 by a 31-19 margin. It was signed into law by the Speaker of the House on May 1 and transmitted to the governor for final approval, which Gianforte granted shortly thereafter.
The new law specifies that the religious instruction must take place off of school property and be privately funded. It prohibits the use of public funds or school personnel to facilitate instruction. Schools are also prohibited from evaluating or endorsing the programs’ religious content or denominational affiliation.
Supporters of the legislation, including legal advocacy group Alliance Defending Freedom, say the bill provides legal protections for families and schools. In a statement, Matt Sharp, senior counsel for ADF, said the bill ensures school officials are not required to scrutinize religious curriculum..
“The government should not stop families from raising their children in their family’s faith. HB 343 respects parents’ educational decisions, allowing public school children to be briefly excused from school to receive free, off-campus religious instruction taught by private charitable organizations.
As the U.S. Supreme Court explained, respecting parents’ decisions for their child to participate in released time programs ‘follows the best of our traditions.’”
Some schools may choose to grant academic credit for released-time programs if they meet educational standards. The law leaves that decision up to local districts, requiring them to evaluate only the academic elements of the curriculum, not its religious message. If credit is awarded, schools must ensure the content is consistent with educational policies and rigor.
While the law has drawn praise from many faith-based organizations and school choice advocates, it has also faced strong opposition from public education groups and some lawmakers. Critics argue the mandate could burden already stretched school resources and raise concerns about using public education time for private religious purposes.
Rob Watson, representing the Coalition of Advocates for Montana Public Schools, warned that the legislation imposes a one-size-fits-all approach that undermines local control. “A mandate from the state does not serve the best interest of students, families, or educators,” he said. “School districts should have the autonomy to determine what types of external instruction align with their academic priorities and whether they merit credit.”
Similar programs already exist in other states and are legally grounded in the 1952 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Zorach v. Clauson, which upheld the constitutionality of released-time religious instruction as long as it is conducted off campus and without government funding.
As of 2024, at least 29 states had laws allowing or requiring released-time religious instruction. Montana was previously among the states that allowed released time, but the new law now requires it. In the 21 remaining states and Washington, D.C., parents or organizations can petition local school boards to establish a program.
Proponents of the Montana law argue that it aligns with constitutional precedent and reinforces the state’s commitment to religious liberty and parental rights in education. They say it ensures that faith-based families are not forced to choose between public schooling and religious instruction.
Opponents, however, worry about logistical complications, such as adjusting class schedules and transportation needs. They argue that the law could lead to inequities among students who do not participate.
With the legislation set to take effect in the upcoming academic year, school administrators across the state are preparing to establish policies that comply with the law while balancing student needs and maintaining the academic integrity of school operations. Districts will be responsible for developing procedures to verify parental consent, coordinate class absences, and, where applicable, assess external coursework for possible credit.
Officials anticipate questions over the logistics and oversight of the programs, particularly regarding credit evaluation and potential disparities in student participation. Despite those concerns, supporters maintain the law is a vital protection for religious liberty and a step forward in expanding educational choice for families across Montana.
Montana’s new law mandating released time for religious instruction is a reaffirmation of the biblical call to “train up a child in the way he should go” (Proverbs 22:6). In a culture where secular ideologies increasingly dominate public education, this law restores an opportunity for parents to integrate faith into their children’s development without abandoning the public school system.
Scripture teaches that the primary responsibility for a child’s spiritual formation belongs to the family (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). Yet, many parents face an uphill battle when schools limit or block opportunities for religious instruction—even as they push secular values and progressive political ideologies. House Bill 343 respects the God-given authority of parents and allows them to reclaim time during the school day to reinforce biblical truths in their children’s hearts and minds.
Critics may argue the law burdens schools or creates inequity, but Christians know that the freedom to live out one’s faith is essential. Jesus told His followers, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them” (Matthew 19:14). This law removes a major hindrance and provides space for children and teenagers to study God’s Word in an intentional and structured way.
Christian parents in Montana now have a legally protected pathway to ensure their children receive the spiritual nourishment they need, even during the school day. Montana’s House Bill 343 offers a bold and faithful reminder that educating the mind must also be matched by enriching the soul.
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