HB233 Alabama 2015 Session

Updated Feb 24, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Kyle South
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2015
Title: Children's Affairs Dept., name changed to Dept. of Early Childhood Education, Commissioner designated as Secretary of the Dept. of Early Childhood Education duties expanded, Secs. 26-24-1 to 26-24-6, inclusive, 26-24-20, 26-24-22, 26-24-23, 26-24-30, 26-24-34 am'd.
Summary: HB233 renames the Department of Children's Affairs to the Department of Early Childhood Education, renames the head to Secretary, and expands duties to build a cohesive, high-quality early learning and care system.
What This Bill Does
If enacted, the department would be renamed and the secretary would have expanded duties to create a cohesive system of high-quality early learning and care for children. It creates the Office of School Readiness to run the state's voluntary prekindergarten program and coordinate related preschool services, with duties including funding, licensing coordination, reporting, and program improvement. It establishes the Alabama Children's Policy Council and county policy councils to guide policy, coordinate resources, and publish state and local resource guides. It requires cross-agency data sharing and coordination among departments serving children and annual reporting to the Governor and Legislature.

Who It Affects
Children under 19 in Alabama and their families will gain coordinated access to high-quality early childhood programs, especially prekindergarten, through the renamed department and its expanded duties.
State and local government agencies, school readiness programs, and local policy councils will be required to coordinate services, report on progress, and manage resources more cohesively.

Key Provisions
Renames the Department of Children's Affairs to the Department of Early Childhood Education.
Renames the Commissioner to the Secretary of the Department of Early Childhood Education and expands the secretary's duties to develop a cohesive system of high-quality early learning and care.
Creates the Office of School Readiness within the department; establishes a director and staff under the Merit System; grants duties to run the early childhood readiness programs.
The Office of School Readiness administers voluntary prekindergarten, coordinates with the Department of Education for preschool services, manages funds, coordinates licensing and nutrition programs, and reports on progress.
Establishes the Alabama Children's Policy Council and county policy councils to guide policy, develop resource guides, review reports, and coordinate resources for children.
Requires cross-agency data collection and coordination to maximize services for children and to provide annual reports to the Governor and Legislature.
Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after 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: Children