HB6 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

John Merrill

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

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

Summary

HB6 would lower the mandatory school-attendance age in Alabama from seven to six and adjust related enrollment and exemption rules.

What This Bill Does

It requires every child aged 6 through 17 to attend a public, private, or church school or be instructed by a private tutor for the full school term each year. Before turning 16, children who attend a church school can be exempt from the attendance requirement if they follow the enrollment and reporting rules. Public school admission is handled on an individual basis by parents applying to the local board at the start of each school year, and the bill clarifies how local funding is treated under existing constitutional rules; it becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Students aged 6-17 in Alabama who must attend a recognized schooling option or be tutored.
• Parents/guardians and local boards of education who must handle enrollment, admissions, and reporting under the new rules

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 16-28-3 to require all children aged 6 through 17 to attend a public, private, or church school or be taught by a private tutor for the entire school term.
• Adds a church-school exemption prior to the child's 16th birthday if enrollment and reporting requirements are met, requires individual, parent-initiated admission to public school at the start of each year, and notes how local-funding rules apply under Amendment 621; establishes effective date as the first day of the third month after passage and governor 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