HB6 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

John Merrill

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Education, public school K-12, minimum mandatory age of attendance decreased from seven to six, Sec. 16-28-3 am'd.

Summary

The bill lowers the mandatory school attendance age from seven to six, so children aged six through 17 would be required to attend school or be tutored.

What This Bill Does

It requires children ages 6-17 to attend a public, private, or church school or be instructed by a private tutor for the full school term. Six-year-olds may enroll in public school if they turn six during the school year, and parents can request enrollment for their child at age seven. Church schools have an exemption until the child turns 16, as long as enrollment and reporting requirements are followed. The bill is exempt from the local-expenditure rules of Amendment 621, so it does not require a local government 2/3 vote or approval to take effect; it becomes law on the first day of the third month after the Governor signs it.

Who It Affects

• Students aged 6-17 and their families, who would be subject to the new attendance requirements and enrollment options (including six-year-olds and the option for parents to request enrollment at age seven; church-school exemptions apply).
• Local school boards and schools (public, private, and church schools) that would implement attendance, enrollment, and reporting rules and may handle associated administrative duties.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 16-28-3 to require attendance for children ages 6-17 at public, private, or church schools or by private tutoring.
• Allows six-year-olds who turn six during the school year to enroll in public school; admits that public school admission is on an individual basis by parental application to the local board.
• Provides that church-school attendance is exempt until the child reaches age 16, provided enrollment and reporting requirements are met under Section 16-28-7.
• Allows a parent/guardian to request enrollment for a child at age seven by submitting a request to the local school board.
• States the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and Governor approval.
• Concludes that, although the bill would require local expenditures, it is exempt from Amendment 621’s local-expenditure requirements because it involves expenditures only by a school board, thereby avoiding a 2/3 vote or local 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