HB168 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Pebblin W. WarrenRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Schools, enrollment date, age 6, allow enrollment in first grade in the enrolling school district, Sec. 16-28-4 am'd.

Summary

The bill lets six-year-olds by December 31 enroll in first grade in their home school district, instead of only those six by September 1.

What This Bill Does

If passed, a child who is six years old on or before December 31 (or the district’s school start date) could enroll in first grade at the opening of the district’s schools for that year or soon after. The rule keeps existing exceptions that allow some younger children to start first grade with board approval or under transfer/move-in circumstances, and it may allow a February 1 birthday child to start in the second semester with approval in districts that use semiannual promotions. The bill mainly changes the age cutoff and does not alter kindergarten rules; it becomes law immediately after signing.

Who It Affects

• Students who turn six on or before December 31 (and their families) would be eligible to enroll in first grade in the enrolling district in the same school year.
• Local boards of education and school districts would need to apply the new cutoff and manage admissions, including approvals for exceptions described in the bill.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 16-28-4 to set December 31 as the cutoff by which a child must be six to enroll in first grade in the enrolling district (instead of September 1).
• A child who is six by December 31 or by the district's start date is entitled to admission to first grade at opening or as soon as practicable; those under six by the cutoff remain ineligible, with specified exceptions for transfers from other states or moves with completed mandated kindergarten.
• Underage admission provisions remain for certain cases: a child who transfers from another state or who moves into Alabama after completing a mandated kindergarten may be admitted with board approval; a child who becomes six by February 1 may be admitted at the start of the second semester in districts with semiannual promotions, subject to board approval.
• Immediate effectiveness upon the 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