HB219 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Thad McClammy

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

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

Summary

HB219 would raise the mandatory school attendance age to 18 and expand the required age range to 6–18, with exemptions and local funding considerations.

What This Bill Does

It changes the mandatory attendance requirement so that children aged 6 through 18 must attend a public, private, or church school or be taught by a private tutor for the school year. Exemptions remain for certain cases, including before age 16 for church-school attendees if enrollment and reporting requirements are met, and six-year-olds can opt out with written notice. Public school admission would be assessed on an individual basis via parental application and local board rules. The bill notes local funding implications but is exempt from additional local-approval requirements under Amendment 621, and it becomes effective after the Governor signs it (date to be determined).

Who It Affects

• Children aged 6 to 18 who would now be required to attend school or be tutored, subject to existing or new exemptions.
• Parents/guardians who must enroll their child, manage enrollment and reporting, or opt a six-year-old out in writing; local school boards and school administrators who implement enrollment policies and reporting, and local governments whose funds may be involved under Amendment 621.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 16-28-3 to require every child aged 6 through 18 to attend a public school, private school, church school, or be instructed by a competent private tutor for the entire school term, with specified exemptions.
• Prior to reaching 16, children attending a church school may be exempt from the attendance requirements if enrollment and reporting procedures are followed as defined.
• A parent/guardian of a child who is six years old may opt out of enrolling the child in school by providing written notice to the local school board.
• Admission to public school is handled on an individual basis through the parents'/guardians' application to the local board of education, under the board's rules and regulations.
• The bill acknowledges potential local fund expenditures but is exempt from the Amendment 621 approval/vote requirements because expenditures would be made by the school board.

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