This bill amends Section 16-28-4 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to change the minimum age for public school attendance and establish new requirements for kindergarten and first-grade enrollment. It lowers the age at which a child is entitled to admission to kindergarten from six to five years of age by September 1 and requires a child to successfully complete kindergarten or demonstrate first-grade readiness to be admitted to the first grade. The bill includes provisions for the State Board of Education to create an assessment for first-grade readiness, allows for the admission of underage children transferring from other states, and ensures that eligibility for special education services is not affected. Additionally, the State Department of Education is directed to develop an informational campaign to promote kindergarten enrollment.

The bill, known as HB113, has been amended and passed by both the Alabama House of Representatives and the Senate. It was originally passed by the House on February 22, 2024, and after the Senate proposed amendments on May 8, 2024, the House accepted these changes on May 9, 2024. The bill stipulates that it will require new or increased local expenditures and will only become effective on July 1, 2024, if enacted by a 2/3 vote or if approved by the local board of education or funded by the Legislature. The specific amendments made by the Senate are not detailed in the provided text, but their acceptance by the House indicates that the bill is in its final form and may proceed to the executive branch for potential signing into law.

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