HB251 Alabama 2024 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Chad RobertsonRepresentative
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2024
Title: Public K-12 schools, to prohibit certain actions toward military children and membership in athletic associations that do the same
Summary: HB251 requires public K-12 schools to allow immediate athletic eligibility for dependent children of active-duty military parents who move due to permanent change of station, and bars schools from joining athletic associations that would deny that eligibility.
What This Bill Does
It protects a military child’s eligibility when moving to a new public school for PCS. It prohibits schools from denying immediate participation in interscholastic sports based on enrollment at a new school due to a bona fide move. It allows schools and athletic associations to request permanent change of station orders to verify the move. It defines athletic association as a state organization that oversees member schools’ athletic programs, receives public funds, and uses public facilities.

Who It Affects
Dependent children of full-time active-duty military parents; their eligibility to participate in interscholastic athletics should be immediate when moving schools due to PCS.
Public K-12 schools and athletic associations in Alabama that oversee athletic programs and receive public funds or use public facilities; they must comply with the eligibility protections and the allowable order verification.

Key Provisions
Prohibits public K-12 schools from denying immediate eligibility to dependent children of active-duty military parents who move due to permanent change of station.
Prohibits public K-12 schools from joining athletic associations that would deny such eligibility.
Allows a school or athletic association to require permanent change of station orders to substantiate a bona fide move.
Defines athletic association as a state athletic organization that oversees member schools' athletic programs, receives public funds, and uses public facilities.
Effective date: October 1, 2024.

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