HB331 Alabama 2022 Session

Updated Feb 22, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Pebblin W. WarrenRepresentative
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2022
Title: Public schools, require a child successfully complete kindergarten before being admitted to the first grade, Sec. 16-28-4 am'd.
Summary: HB331 changes first-grade eligibility by requiring six-year-olds who turn six between September 1 and December 31 to complete kindergarten or show first-grade readiness, and it creates rules for admitting some under-five children to kindergarten.
What This Bill Does
It changes age-based admission rules so a child turning six after September 1 but by December 31 can enter first grade only if they have completed kindergarten or demonstrate readiness for first grade. It also provides for admitting certain under-five children to public kindergarten under space-available conditions, including transfers from other states or meeting district-established readiness criteria. The bill requires a readiness assessment developed by the Department of Education (with approval from the State Board of Education) and directs the department to publish essential first-grade readiness skills online. It notes potential local funding implications but states the bill falls under constitutional exceptions that do not require local approvals or a 2/3 vote.

Who It Affects
Students who turn six between September 1 and December 31 and their families, who would be eligible to enter first grade only after completing kindergarten or showing first-grade readiness.
Children under five on September 1 and their families, who may be admitted to public kindergarten on a space-available basis under specified conditions (such as transferring from another state's kindergarten or meeting readiness/assessment criteria).

Key Provisions
Amends Section 16-28-4 to require a child who becomes six years old between September 1 and December 31 to complete kindergarten or demonstrate first-grade readiness before entering the first grade.
Allows admission to public kindergarten for children under five on September 1 under space-available basis, with criteria including transfers from other states or demonstrated readiness based on district-established criteria and assessments.
Establishes an assessment process for first-grade readiness, to be created by the Department of Education and approved by the State Board of Education, and requires publication of essential readiness skills on the department's website.
Requires implementation guidelines to be adopted by the State Board of Education; ensures no loss of teacher units; immediate effectiveness upon the Governor's signature; acknowledges local funding considerations under constitutional exceptions.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Public Schools