HB354 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Joe Hubbard

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Education, State Department of Education not to regulate a license private, nonpublic, or church schools, clarified, public 2-year and 4-year institutions may not deny admittance to student based on attendance at private, nonpublic, or church school, State Department of Education may not deny certification to person because was employed by private, nonpublic or church school, Secs. 16-1-11, 16-28-7, 16-46-1 to 16-46-10, inclusive, am'd.

Summary

HB354 would shield private, nonpublic, and church K-12 schools from State Department of Education regulation, bar admission denial by public colleges based on such schooling, and create a licensing framework for private postsecondary institutions.

What This Bill Does

It clarifies that private, nonpublic, and church K-12 schools are not subject to licensure or regulation by the State Department of Education. It requires public two-year and four-year colleges to admit otherwise qualified students regardless of whether they were home-schooled or attended private or church schools. It prohibits the State Department of Education from denying certification to someone simply because they were employed by a private, nonpublic, or church school. It also creates a comprehensive licensing regime for private postsecondary institutions, including licenses (with certain exemptions), bonds or sureties, permits for agents, required disclosures, enforcement powers, and appeal processes, aimed at protecting students and ensuring financial stability and proper conduct.

Who It Affects

• Private, nonpublic, and church K-12 schools in Alabama: granted autonomy from regulation by the State Department of Education and related state bodies.
• Students who were home-schooled or who attended private/nonpublic/church schools and seek admission to Alabama public colleges: protected from being denied admission based solely on their prior schooling.
• Public two-year and four-year institutions of higher education: prohibited from denying admission to otherwise qualified students for the above schooling reasons.
• Individuals employed by elementary or secondary private/nonpublic/church schools: DoE certification cannot be denied merely because of their employment at such schools.
• Private postsecondary institutions (not exempted): would be subject to a new licensing framework, including licenses, bonds/sureties, permits for agents, financial and program disclosures, and regulatory enforcement.

Key Provisions

• K-12 private, nonpublic, and church schools offering instruction in grades K-12 are exempt from licensure or regulation by the State Department of Education; DoE, State Board of Education, and State Superintendent cannot license or regulate these schools.
• Public two-year and four-year institutions may not deny admission to an otherwise qualified student based on whether the student was home-schooled or attended private/nonpublic/church schools.
• The State Department of Education may not deny certification to an otherwise qualified person because they were employed by a private, nonpublic, or church school.
• Private postsecondary institutions generally must obtain a license to operate, with exemptions listed in Section 16-46-3; licensing involves financial solvency, bonds/surety, agent permits, and ongoing reporting and compliance standards.
• The act creates definitions and procedures for licensing, permitting, and enforcement, including penalties for operating without a license or permit, and a process for appeals and hearings through state education boards.
• Penalties for violations include misdemeanor charges, fines up to $500, imprisonment up to six months, and daily offenses treated as separate violations; fines are deposited to the appropriate state treasury.

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