HB349 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Terri CollinsRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Age of majority, jurisdiction of juvenile court, admission to public school, involuntary commitments of persons who are mentally ill, right to contract, child protective services of Dept. of Human Resources, further provided, Secs. 12-15-102, 16-28-3, 22-52-16, 26-1-1, 26-14-1 am'd.

Summary

HB 349 updates Alabama's age of majority to 19, expands certain rights for 18-year-olds, and clarifies school attendance, protective services, and involuntary-commitment rules for minors.

What This Bill Does

It defines adult as 19 or older and changes legal references from under 21 to under 19. It allows unemancipated 18-year-olds to enter binding contracts, and provides exceptions for 18-year-olds in specific contexts (such as research participation) and for under-19 veterans purchasing a motor vehicle. It adjusts admission rules so that 18-year-olds on track to graduate can attend public school and ensures 6-year-olds can opt to delay starting school, while generally not denying public school admission to someone solely because of age. It expands the Department of Human Resources’ protective services for minors (defined as under 19) and clarifies probate/mentally ill commitment rules, with a special carve-out for minors under 18; the act takes effect three months after passage.

Who It Affects

• Minors and near-adults (primarily those under 19, including many 18-year-olds) by defining adulthood at 19, expanding contract rights, and altering school enrollment rules.
• Public schools, the Department of Human Resources, and the courts (probate and juvenile) by adjusting school admission processes, protective services authority, and involuntary-commitment jurisdiction.

Key Provisions

• Adult age set at 19 or older; laws referencing 'under the age of 21' are rewritten to 'under the age of 19'.
• Unemancipated 18-year-olds may enter binding contracts; honorably discharged veterans under 19 may contract to purchase a motor vehicle; 18-year-olds may consent to certain research.
• 18-year-olds on track to graduate may attend public school; 6-year-olds may opt out of starting school at age six; public school admission cannot be denied solely on the basis of age for those on track to graduate.
• Protective services authority for minors is expanded; 'child' is defined as under 19 for protective services purposes; DHR can provide protective services to these youths.
• Probate court involuntary-commitment rules are clarified, with an exception that minors under 18 are not subject to certain probate-mental-health commitments.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Minors