HB 456 Summary

• Establishes the Alabama School of Cyber Security and Information Technology as an independent, partially residential school for talented and gifted students to develop expertise in cyber security and information technology.

• Creates a board of trustees consisting of 14 members: 4 appointed by the Speaker of the House, 4 by the Senate President Pro Tempore, 4 by the Governor, 2 by the board itself, plus 3 non-voting ex officio members from various state agencies, with initial board members serving until June 30, 2018.

• Grants the school board authority to accept donations and grants, purchase or lease facilities, employ an executive director, establish curricula, award diplomas and certificates, offer summer programs and extension courses, and encourage student internships with businesses and government agencies.

• Permits qualified students to be exempted from up to 3 Carnegie units of the state's required high school curriculum upon school approval, with notice filed to the State Department of Education.

• Provides immunity from liability for board members, employees, students, and agents acting in good faith, and requires all vendor contracts to include complete indemnity and defense provisions.