HB211 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Merika ColemanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Mandatory school attendance, increased from age 17 to 18, Sec. 16-28-3 am'd.

Summary

HB211 would raise Alabama's mandatory school attendance age from 17 to 18 and require students to continue attending or graduating through that age.

What This Bill Does

Starting with the 2013-2014 school year, every child aged 6-18 (or until high school graduation, whichever comes first) would have to attend a public, private, or church school or be educated by a private tutor. There is an exemption for church-school students before age 16 if enrollment and reporting rules are followed. Parents can opt out at age six by notifying the local school board that the child will not enroll until age seven. The bill involves local school boards in enrollment decisions and funding, and while it would use local funds, it is exempt from the usual local-funding voting requirement; the act becomes law after governor approval and applies starting in the 2013-2014 school year.

Who It Affects

• Students aged 6-18 (or until graduation) and their families, who would be required to attend or be educated under the new rules.
• Parents/guardians, who would need to enroll their child and follow reporting procedures, and who can opt out at age six with written notice.
• Local school boards and school districts, which would implement enrollment decisions and reporting and manage related funding.

Key Provisions

• Raises the mandatory attendance age from 17 to 18, or until high school graduation, whichever comes first.
• Permits attendance at public, private, or church schools or instruction by a private tutor; adds a prior-to-16 exemption for church-school students if enrollment and reporting requirements are met.
• Allows parents to opt out at age six by written notice to delay enrollment until age seven.
• Notes that the act would involve local education expenditures but is exempt from the Amendment 621 local-funding requirement because expenditures are by the school board; takes effect for the 2013-2014 school year after 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