HB139 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Barry Mask

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Motor vehicles, students, drivers' licenses, suspension of by Public Safety Department for disruptive behavior in classrooms resulting in suspension or expulsion from school, based on recommendation of principal, procedures for hearing, Sec. 16-28-40 am'd.

Summary

HB139 would let the Department of Public Safety suspend a student’s driver’s license for serious school misconduct based on a principal’s recommendation, shorten the pistol-adjudication suspension timeline from 30 to 10 days, and tighten related eligibility and due-process requirements for minors.

What This Bill Does

The bill allows DPS to suspend a student’s driver’s license for serious misconduct or disruptive behavior at school upon a principal’s recommendation, with the principal certifying that due process requirements were followed. It shortens the suspension trigger after adjudication of possessing a pistol at school or on a school bus from 30 days to 10 days. It sets possible suspension lengths of 90 days, 120 days, or one year, based on the principal’s recommendation. It preserves education/work status requirements for under-19 license issuance and adds detailed notice, documentation, and due-process steps for suspensions and withdrawals.

Who It Affects

• Students under age 19 who may have their driver’s licenses denied or suspended if they do not meet educational/employment requirements or commit serious misconduct or disruptive behavior at school.
• School principals and attendance officials who would recommend license suspensions and must certify due-process compliance.
• The Department of Public Safety, which would issue notices, process suspensions, and handle hearings related to license actions.
• Parents/guardians and school staff who must provide documentation, notification, and exemptions related to withdrawals or circumstances beyond a student’s control.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes DPS to suspend a student’s driver’s license for serious misconduct or disruptive behavior at school based on a principal’s recommendation, with the principal certifying due-process compliance.
• Reduces the suspension period after adjudication of possessing a pistol at school or on a school bus from 30 days to 10 days.
• Allows license suspensions of 90 days, 120 days, or one year, as recommended by the school principal, beginning on the 10th day after notice.
• Requires principal recommendations to include specific information (school name, principal’s typed name/signature, student’s full name/address/DOB, description of misconduct with policy citation, and certification of due-process compliance) before DPS processes the suspension.
• Keeps and clarifies procedures for notices, opportunities for hearings, and potential court review if suspensions or denials are sustained.
• Maintains under-19 eligibility rules tied to education or employment status and outlines withdrawal notification and exemptions related to school withdrawal triggers.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Motor Vehicles