HB371 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Thad McClammy

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Mandatory school attendance age, maximum increased from 17 to 19 years of age, Sec. 16-28-3 am'd.

Summary

HB371 would raise the mandatory school attendance age from 17 to 19, expanding attendance requirements to ages 7 through 19.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the bill would require most children ages 7 to 19 to attend a public, private, or church school, or be instructed by a competent private tutor for the entire school term. It keeps an exemption for children attending church schools until age 16, as long as they follow enrollment and reporting rules. Public school admission would be handled on an individual basis through a parent or guardian's application at the start of each school year. The bill notes that while it would involve local-fund expenditures, it is exempt from the local-government 2/3 vote requirement under Amendment 621 because expenditures would be made by a school board; it would take effect on the first day of the third month after the governor signs it into law.

Who It Affects

• Students aged 7-19 would be required to attend school or be tutored (with an exemption for church-school attendees until age 16 if enrollment/reporting rules are followed).
• Local school districts and boards would administer and enforce the attendance rules, manage enrollment processes, and handle related funding decisions.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 16-28-3 to require attendance for ages 7-19 at public, private, or church schools, or private tutoring.
• Keeps church-school exemption until age 16, provided enrollment and reporting requirements are followed.
• Public school admission is on an individual basis via parental application to the local board at the start of each school year.
• Expenditures related to the bill are local-fund requirements but are excluded from further Amendment 621 requirements because they involve expenditures only by a school board; effective date is the first day of the third month after governor’s approval.

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

Subjects

Education