The bill, HB113, amends Section 16-28-4 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to revise the age requirements for children's admission to public schools, particularly for kindergarten and first grade. It establishes a new minimum age of five years for kindergarten, requiring children to either complete kindergarten or demonstrate readiness for first grade before enrollment. Exceptions are allowed for children under five who may be admitted to kindergarten and those under six who may enter first grade under specific conditions, such as transferring from another state's school or meeting local board of education readiness criteria. Additionally, children who have not completed kindergarten must undergo an assessment to evaluate their readiness for first grade.

The bill also mandates an informational campaign by the State Department of Education to encourage kindergarten enrollment, especially in areas with high numbers of unregistered students. It notes that the implementation of the bill may necessitate new or increased local funding and will only take effect with a two-thirds vote or local board of education approval. The act is set to become effective on July 1, 2024. The amendments passed by the Senate and House include new provisions that enhance existing regulations while deleting outdated legal language to streamline the law, reflecting an effort to modernize the legal framework to better address current educational needs.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 16-28-4
Enrolled: 16-28-4