HB 655 Summary

• Amends Section 8 of the Alabama Accountability Act of 2013 to clarify that no public or nonpublic school may be forced to enroll a student under the act's provisions.

• Provides income tax credits to parents of students in failing schools equal to 80 percent of average annual state cost of K-12 attendance or actual school costs, whichever is less, for tax years beginning January 1, 2013.

• Allows parents to transfer students from failing schools to nonfailing public or nonpublic schools of their choice and receive tax credit reimbursement through the Department of Revenue.

• Requires local school systems to notify parents of transfer options and offer alternative public schools within the district; establishes that accepting school systems control enrollment terms and conditions.

• Becomes effective immediately upon passage and Governor approval.