HB296 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Merika ColemanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

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

Summary

HB296 would raise the mandatory school attendance age from 17 to 18 (or until high school graduation) and adjust related enrollment options and exemptions.

What This Bill Does

Starting in the 2014-2015 school year, every child aged six through 18 must attend a public, private, or church school or be instructed by a private tutor, until graduation or the end of the school year, whichever comes first. A church-school exemption remains for children under 16 if enrollment and reporting requirements are followed. Parents or guardians must apply for public school admission for their child, and there is a written opt-out option to delay enrollment for six-year-olds until age seven. The bill notes it would involve local school funds, but an amendment says expenditures would be made by school boards, so it does not trigger certain local-funding approval requirements.

Who It Affects

• Group 1: Students aged 6-18 would be required to attend a public, private, or church school or be instructed by a private tutor (until graduation or end of the school year).
• Group 2: Parents/guardians and local school boards would manage enrollment decisions, reporting, and the opt-out option, with church schools receiving a pre-16 exemption under specified conditions.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 16-28-3 to require six- to eighteen-year-olds to attend or be instructed (public/private/church school or tutor) until graduation or end of the school year, whichever comes first.
• Keeps a church-school exemption for children before age 16 if enrollment and reporting requirements are met.
• Requires parental/guardian application for public school admission on an individual basis at the start of each school year.
• Allows a parent to opt out of enrolling a six-year-old in school by written notice, delaying enrollment until age seven.
• States the bill would involve local expenditures but is exempt from Amendment 621 requirements because expenditures would be made by a school board.
• Effective date: becomes law on 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