HB339 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Nathaniel LedbetterRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Edcuation, schools, pledge of allegiance, be conducted at the beginning of each school day, Sec. 16-43-5 am'd.

Summary

HB 339 requires public K-12 schools to start each day with the pledge of allegiance and lets students participate voluntarily without punishment.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends the state code to require the pledge of allegiance to be conducted at the start of every school day in public K-12 schools. It ensures that every student has the opportunity to voluntarily recite the pledge each day. A student who chooses not to recite the pledge may not be punished or penalized. The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after it is signed by the Governor.

Who It Affects

• Public school students in kindergarten through 12th grade, who are given the opportunity to recite the pledge and cannot be punished for choosing not to.
• Public schools and their staff (including the State Board of Education), who must conduct the pledge at the start of each school day and provide the voluntary recitation option.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 16-43-5 to require the pledge to be conducted at the start of each school day in public K-12 schools.
• Public schools must give every student the opportunity to voluntarily recite the pledge each day.
• Students who refuse to recite the pledge may not be punished or penalized.
• State Board of Education must ensure the pledge is conducted at the start of each school day.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor.

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