SB51 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Higher education, public institutions, provides resident student status to minor children of military service members stationed in Ala., provides that resident student status is valid even if the parent is reassigned out of state, so long as the student maintains continous enrollment at the institution, Sec. 16-64-2 am'd.

Summary

The bill would grant in-state student status to the minor children of military personnel stationed in Alabama and keep that status if the parent is reassigned out of state, as long as the student remains continuously enrolled.

What This Bill Does

It lets the minor child of a military member stationed in Alabama enroll as a resident student at Alabama public colleges and stay in-state for tuition even if the parent later moves out of state, as long as continuous enrollment is maintained. It requires public colleges and universities to treat a military service member stationed in Alabama, along with their spouse and minor children, as resident students for tuition purposes even if the service member is not under orders to attend school. It updates the residency rules in law and directs boards to adopt rules to implement the changes, with the act taking effect after passage.

Who It Affects

• Minor children of military service members stationed in Alabama, who would qualify for in-state tuition and could keep that status if their parent is reassigned out of state, provided they stay enrolled.
• Military service members stationed in Alabama, their spouses, and their minor children, who would be treated as resident students for tuition purposes, regardless of whether the service member has orders to attend school.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 16-64-2 to allow a minor child of a military service member stationed in Alabama to enroll as a resident student and remain in-state for tuition if continuous enrollment is maintained, even if the parent is moved to another state.
• Requires public higher education institutions to consider a military service member stationed in Alabama, as well as their spouse and minor children, as resident students regardless of whether the service member is under orders to attend schooling.
• Expands the definition and criteria for resident students to include active-duty military adjustments, National Guard, veterans, and exceptions for minors with a supporting person who is in the military, plus transfer rules related to out-of-state moves, with continuous enrollment.
• Boards of trustees must adopt rules and guidelines to implement the changes; the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Higher Education