HB371 Summary

• Amends Section 16-28-3 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to increase the mandatory school attendance age from 17 to 19 years, requiring children between ages 7 and 19 to attend public, private, or church school or be instructed by a private tutor.

• Maintains existing exemption for children attending church school prior to their 16th birthday, provided they comply with enrollment and reporting procedures in Section 16-28-7.

• Requires school boards to bear the expenditures resulting from the expanded attendance requirement, which exempts the bill from Amendment 621 constitutional requirements for local fund appropriations.

• Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.