GOP bill requires KY schools to allow off-campus Bible classes in school day

A Republican state lawmaker filed a bill this week that would require Kentucky public schools to allow off-campus Bible classes during the school day.

That’s a change from the current law, passed last year, in which school boards must consider, but can turn down, the “moral instruction” proposals. The new bill comes after several Kentucky school boards rejected such proposals last year, including those in Warren, Kenton and Oldham counties.

Under House Bill 829 filed by Rep. Shane Baker, R-Somerset, the boards of education of local school districts “shall” allow pupils to be excused from school to attend moral instruction for at least one hour.

Baker’s bill removes a provision that would limit the classes to one day each week.

“Moral instruction provided under this section shall not take place on school property, unless permitted under a local school board policy authorizing equal access to the use of school property by public members of the community,” the bill says.

LifeWise, an Ohio-based Christian non-profit that provides off-campus Bible classes to students during the school day, operates in about 1,000 schools across 34 states during school hours. LifeWise organizes a local team to provide the programming, transportation, and staff without receiving any taxpayer funding, the Family Foundation, a conservative Christian advocacy group, said.

In September, the McCracken County Board of Education voted 4-1 to approve LifeWise Academy’s request to provide Bible-based “character education” to Lone Oak Intermediate School students off campus during school hours, the Paducah Sun said.

“We know that providing students with opportunities for positive choices — such as moral instruction, mentorship or leadership activities — directly shapes their behavior, helping to build a safer, more respectful and engaged school climate,” said Baker.

Under Baker’s bill, school boards would approve a group’s plan.

The office of Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman, a Republican, has said under current law, a local board of education is not required to approve a request submitted by a qualified provider to provide moral instruction to students if a board’s decision to deny the request is not arbitrary or motivated by “animosity to religion.”

Coleman’s office also said a local board of education is required to accommodate a parent’s request to release a student to attend a district-approved moral instruction program, if there are any.

Under Baker’s bill, the attorney general could bring a civil action to compel a school board to comply.

The bill has not received a committee hearing or vote as of Thursday.

Kentucky School Boards Association responds

The Kentucky School Boards Association, which advocates for public school boards, said it opposes mandates such as this one.

“The Kentucky School Boards Association has long opposed statewide mandates that remove decision-making authority from locally elected boards of education,” said Brenna Kelly, spokesperson for the group. “School boards are best positioned to determine policies that reflect local priorities, schedules, and operational realities and are directly accountable to the communities they serve.”

Editor’s note: This story was updated after officials clarified attribution of a quote from Rep. Baker.

This story was originally published March 5, 2026 at 2:47 PM.