Ala. Code § 16-1-28 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 1 / Section 16-1-28
Section 16-1-28 No Public Funds or Public Facilities to Be Used to Promote Lifestyle or Activities Prohibited by Sodomy and Sexual Misconduct Laws
Status: in_force

(a) No public funds or public facilities shall be used by any college or university to, directly or indirectly, sanction, recognize, or support the activities or existence of any organization or group that fosters or promotes a lifestyle or actions prohibited by the sodomy and sexual misconduct laws of Sections 13A-6-63 to 13A-6-65, inclusive.

(b) No organization or group that receives public funds or uses public facilities, directly or indirectly, at any college or university shall permit or encourage its members or encourage other persons to engage in any such unlawful acts or provide information or materials that explain how such acts may be engaged in or performed.

(c) This section shall not be construed to be a prior restraint of the First Amendment protected speech. It shall not apply to any organization or group whose activities are limited solely to the political advocacy of a change in the sodomy and sexual misconduct laws of this state.
Ala. Code § 16-24-35 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 24 / Section 16-24-35
Section 16-24-35 Rules, Regulations and Orders
Status: reserved

Repealed by Act 2004-566, p. 1330, §3, effective July 1, 2004.
Ala. Code § 16-17A-13 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 17A / Section 16-17A-13
Section 16-17A-13 Investment in Indebtedness
Status: in_force

Indebtedness issued under the provisions of this chapter is hereby made a legal investment for savings banks and insurance companies organized under state law and for trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, persons, or organizations acting in a fiduciary capacity, unless otherwise directed by a court having jurisdiction or by a document providing fiduciary authority. Any governmental entity or public corporation is authorized, in its discretion, to invest any available funds in securities of the authority.
Ala. Code § 16-36-16 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 36 / Section 16-36-16
Section 16-36-16 Contract Provisions as to Price of Textbooks Purchased with Local Funds, Replacement of Defective or Substandard Books and Delivery
Status: reserved

Repealed by Act 98-320, §13 effective July 1, 1998.
Ala. Code § 16-26C-1.1 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 26C / Section 16-26C-1.1
Section 16-26C-1.1 Letson Grants
Status: reserved

Repealed by Act 2014-372, §2, effective April 9, 2014.
Ala. Code § 16-33A-10 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 33A / Section 16-33A-10
Section 16-33A-10 False Statements and Misrepresentations
Status: in_force

Any person who knowingly makes or furnishes any false statement or misrepresentation, or who accepts such false statement or misrepresentation knowing the same to be false, for the purpose of wrongfully obtaining a grant under this chapter or enabling an individual student to wrongfully obtain a grant under this chapter, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished as by law provided for a misdemeanor.
Ala. Code § 16-29-6 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 29 / Section 16-29-6
Section 16-29-6 County Board of Health to Cooperate
Status: reserved

Repealed by Act 2015-70 effective April 21, 2015.
Ala. Code § 16-56-5 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 56 / Section 16-56-5
Section 16-56-5 Board of Trustees - Quorum; Meetings of Standing Committees
Status: in_force

(a) A majority of the members of the board of trustees shall constitute a quorum, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day until a quorum is present. A quorum may be assembled in person or through electronic communications that permit complete auditory access to the proceedings of the board. During each meeting of the board, no more than two members may participate through electronic communications.

(b) Standing committees of the board, excluding the executive committee, may meet by means of telephone conference, video conference, or other electronic means by which all persons participating in the meeting, and members of the public, may hear each other simultaneously, if the committee has no authority other than to make recommendations to the full board. Meetings conducted pursuant to this subsection shall be properly noticed and shall comply with the Alabama Open Meetings Act.
Ala. Code § 16-27-4 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 27 / Section 16-27-4
Section 16-27-4 Licensing of Drivers
Status: in_force

Regulations made pursuant to an order of the board of education requiring and providing for special training and licensing of drivers of vehicles used to transport pupils to and from school shall require an applicant for a school bus driver’s license to be the holder of a currently valid regular driver’s license and to complete a minimum of 12 clock-hours of approved instruction in school bus driving and to pass satisfactorily a written examination and also a driving performance test. The written examination shall be designed by the State Superintendent of Education with the cooperation of the state Director of Public Safety and may be given to the applicant either by an employee of the State Department of Education or a state trooper or other representative of the State Department of Public Safety as the State Superintendent of Education and the Director of Public Safety agree; but the driving performance test shall be given by a state trooper or other representative of the state Department of Public Safety. The plan for the performance test shall, however, be submitted to and approved by the State Superintendent of Education before the performance test is given. If the applicant for a school bus driver’s license satisfactorily passes the test, the testing officer shall report this fact to the State Superintendent of Education and shall send a copy of such report to the local superintendent of education of the county or city where the applicant desires a job as a school bus driver.

Upon receipt of the testing officer’s report of an applicant having satisfactorily passed the examinations, the State Superintendent of Education shall issue a special school bus driver’s license. Such license shall be valid for one year from the date of its issuance and may be renewed annually for an additional year if the applicant attends a four clock-hour training session for school bus drivers conducted in such manner as the State Superintendent of Education prescribes. Such rules may also provide for the issuance of temporary permits or licenses for school bus drivers who have had a minimum of four clock-hours of instruction conducted by representatives of a local board of education. Holders of such temporary licenses shall only be employed for the purpose of filling vacancies which develop between scheduled training periods, and such temporary licenses shall be valid for a maximum of six months only.
Ala. Code § 16-17-7 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 17 / Section 16-17-7
Section 16-17-7 Powers of Authority
Status: in_force

The authority shall have the following powers, together with all powers incidental thereto or necessary to the discharge thereof in corporate form:

(1) To have succession by its corporate name for the duration of time (which may be in perpetuity, subject to the provisions of Section 16-17-19) specified in its certificate of incorporation;

(2) To sue and be sued in its own name in civil actions and to defend actions against it;

(3) To adopt and make use of a corporate seal and to alter the same at pleasure;

(4) To adopt and alter bylaws for the regulation and conduct of its affairs and business;

(5) To acquire, hold, receive and take by purchase, gift, lease, devise or otherwise, and to sell, transfer and convey, property of every description, real, personal or mixed, wherever the same might be located;

(6) To make, enter into and execute such contracts, agreements, leases and other instruments and to take such other actions as may be necessary or convenient to accomplish any purpose for which the authority was organized or to exercise any power expressly granted hereunder;

(7) To plan, establish, develop, acquire, purchase, lease, construct, reconstruct, improve, maintain and operate ancillary improvements in connection with educational institutions in the state, and to acquire real and personal property, franchises and easements deemed necessary or desirable in connection therewith;

(8) To sell and issue bonds of the authority in order to provide funds for any corporate function, use, or purpose, which bonds shall be payable solely out of the revenues derived from the operation, lease or sale (or any combination of any thereof) of ancillary improvements of the authority in connection with educational institutions;

(9) To assume obligations secured by a lien on, or payable out of or secured by a pledge of, the revenues from the operation, lease or sale (or any combination of any thereof) of ancillary improvements or any part thereof that may be acquired by the authority, any obligation so assumed to be payable by the authority solely out of the revenues derived from the operation, lease or sale (or any combination of any thereof) of any ancillary improvements, or part thereof, of the authority;

(10) To pledge for payment of any bonds issued or obligations assumed by the authority any revenues from which those bonds or obligations are made payable as herein provided;

(11) To execute and deliver, pursuant to the provisions of this section and of Sections 16-17-11 and 16-17-12, mortgages and deeds of trust and trust indentures, or either;

(12) To appoint, employ, contract with and provide for the compensation of such officers, employees and agents, including but without limitation to engineers, attorneys, architects, construction contractors, management consultants and fiscal advisers, as the business of the authority may require;

(13) To provide for such insurance as the board may deem advisable;

(14) To invest any funds of the authority that the board may determine are not presently needed in the operation of its properties in bonds of the United States of America, bonds of the state and interest-bearing bank deposits, or any thereof;

(15) To cooperate with the United States of America, any agency or instrumentality thereof, the state, any person, or any combination of any of the foregoing;

(16) To sell and convey any of its properties that may have become obsolete or worn out or that may no longer be needed or useful as or as a part of ancillary improvements in connection with educational institutions;

(17) To enter into a management agreement or agreements with any person for the management by the authority, or by any lessee or assignee from the authority, of any ancillary improvements or part thereof, upon such terms and conditions as may be mutually agreeable;

(18) To lease to any one or more persons or to any one or more educational institutions any or all of its ancillary improvements and to charge and collect rent therefor and to terminate any such lease upon the failure of the lessee to comply with any of the obligations thereof;

(19) To sell any of its ancillary improvements or part thereof; provided, that any such sale may be made only if such sale would not constitute a breach of any then outstanding agreement on the part of the authority.
Ala. Code § 16-60-95 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 60 / Section 16-60-95
Section 16-60-95 Disbursement of Funds
Status: in_force

Out of the revenues appropriated and pledged in Section 16-60-94, the State Treasurer is hereby authorized and directed to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds issued by the authority under the provisions of this article, as such principal and interest shall respectively mature, and the State Treasurer is further authorized and directed to set up and maintain appropriate records pertaining thereto.
Ala. Code § 16-18B-15 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 18B / Section 16-18B-15
Section 16-18B-15 Contracts to Be in Writing
Status: in_force

All contracts for the acquisition, provision, construction, improvement, renovation, equipping and maintenance of forensic sciences laboratories and educational facilities for the provision of instruction and research in the field of forensic sciences shall be in writing.
Ala. Code § 16-52-4.1 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 52 / Section 16-52-4.1
Section 16-52-4.1 Board of Trustees - Participation in Meetings by Electronic Communications
Status: in_force

Members of the Board of Trustees of Jacksonville State University may participate in a meeting of the board or committee by means of telephone conference, video conference, or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting may hear each other at the same time. Participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting for all purposes. However, a majority of a quorum of the members of the board of trustees, or, in the event of a meeting of only the executive committee, a majority of a quorum of the executive committee of the board of trustees must be physically present at the location noticed and called for the meeting in order to conduct any business or deliberation. Members of the board of trustees and any committees of the board of trustees may not utilize electronic communications except as in compliance with the Alabama Open Meetings Act. Notice of board meetings shall be provided in accordance with the Alabama Open Meetings Act and telephone or video conference or similar communications equipment shall also allow members of the public the opportunity to simultaneously listen to or observe such meetings.
Ala. Code § 16-11-26 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 11 / Section 16-11-26
Section 16-11-26 Incidental Fees in City Elementary Schools
Status: in_force

No fees of any kind shall be collected from children attending any of the first six grades of the city schools during the school term supported by public taxation.
Ala. Code § 16-35-1 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 35 / Section 16-35-1
Section 16-35-1 Composition; Appointment, Qualifications and Terms of Members
Status: in_force

The State Board of Education shall appoint a courses of study committee as set forth below for the purposes and functions as hereinafter provided. The State Courses of Study Committee shall consist of 28 members to be selected as follows:

(1) One elementary teacher (grades K through six) and one secondary teacher (grades seven through 12) from each of the seven congressional districts who are teaching in the course of study areas to be revised during their terms of office;

(2) Four members from the state at-large actively engaged in a supervisory or administrative capacity in the field of education and who are knowledgeable or who have had previous teaching experience in the course of study areas to be revised during their term of office;

(3) Three members who are employees of state institutions of higher learning and who are specialists in the course of study areas to be revised during their terms of office; and

(4) Seven additional members appointed by the Governor, one from each of the seven congressional districts, each of whom shall be either a business or professional representative not employed in the field of education. The Governor’s appointees shall have expertise and be actually involved in the course of study field under consideration and shall be confirmed by the Senate.

Additional standards for membership on the State Courses of Study Committee may be established by the State Board of Education other than those prescribed hereinabove. Said standards shall be sent to every local board of education and every county and city superintendent.

Local boards of education, through their superintendents, shall nominate persons to serve on these committees. Local boards shall furnish credentials of each person recommended, including a summary of each person’s qualifications for membership on the committee. All nominations along with said credentials shall be forwarded to the State Superintendent of Education. The State Board of Education, upon the recommendations of the State Superintendent of Education, shall appoint all members of the State Courses of Study Committee from the nominees made by the local boards of education. The Governor’s appointments need not be nominated by a local board of education, nor recommended by the State Superintendent of Education, nor approved by the State Board of Education.

The term of office of the members of said committee shall be for a period of one year, beginning on the first day of May 1984; provided, however, that the terms of office for the Governor’s initial appointees shall begin immediately upon their initial appointment. The members shall hold office until their successors are appointed.
Ala. Code § 16-46D-7 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 46D / Section 16-46D-7
Section 16-46D-7 Move on When Ready Fund
Status: in_force

(a) The Move on When Ready Fund is created within the State Treasury. The Executive Director of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education shall administer the fund. The executive director shall use the fund to pay eligible institutions the lesser of the following amounts for each participating eligible student enrolled therein, less a records fee of two hundred dollars ($200) for the administration costs of the local board of education:

(1) The actual cost of tuition, materials, and fees directly related to the courses taken by the eligible student at the institution; or

(2) The amount that the participating eligible student would have earned if he or she had been in equivalent instructional programs through the local board of education, calculated pursuant to subsection (b).

(b) The total allotment of funds to the local board of education in which a participating student is enrolled at an eligible institution shall be calculated as otherwise provided in this title, provided that during the student’s second year in the program, the calculation shall include an ensuing reduction equivalent to the amount paid from the fund to the eligible institution pursuant to this section.

(c) The records fee contained in subsection (a) may be increased at the sole discretion of the state board by up to four percent annually.

(d) Any monies appropriated to the fund shall be budgeted and allotted pursuant to the Budget Management Act in accordance with Article 4 of Chapter 4 of Title 41 and only in the amounts provided by the Legislature in the general appropriations act or other appropriations act.
Ala. Code § 16-13-260 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 13 / Section 16-13-260
Section 16-13-260 Legislative Findings
Status: in_force

The Legislature makes the following findings and determinations:

(1) In a number of instances, the Legislature, by general or local act, has authorized the levy and collection within a county or municipality of a tax, other than an ad valorem tax, for school purposes and has specified that the authority for the levy of the tax shall terminate upon the payment in full of certain generally or specifically described bonds, warrants, or other obligations.

(2) Counties, municipalities, boards of education, and other political subdivisions frequently realize substantial debt service savings and other benefits through the issuance and sale of refunding obligations to provide for the payment and retirement of previously issued bonds, warrants, or other obligations.

(3) In order to facilitate the realization of the benefits that may be obtained through the refunding of outstanding obligations, and to avoid the consequence of unintentionally terminating the legal authority for the levy and collection of one or more specific taxes, it is appropriate and desirable for the Legislature to provide that the authority for the levy and collection of any tax that would otherwise terminate upon the payment of certain bonds, warrants, or other obligations shall continue until the payment in full of any refunding obligations referable thereto.
Ala. Code § 16-65-6 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 65 / Section 16-65-6
Section 16-65-6 Bonds Generally
Status: in_force

(a) Issuance of bonds. The authority is authorized and empowered to issue its bonds from time to time for the purpose of making equipment loans to finance equipment costs incurred or to be incurred by educational institutions. Such bonds may be in such aggregate principal amount as the board of directors shall determine to be necessary to pay the equipment costs included in such financing. The authority may pay from the proceeds of the sale of its bonds all expenses, including publication and printing charges, attorneys’ fees, financial advisory fees, and other expenses which the board of directors may deem necessary or advantageous in connection with the authorization, advertisement, sale, execution, and issuance of its bonds or the making of equipment loans from the proceeds thereof.

(b) Source of payment. All bonds issued by the authority shall be limited obligations of the authority payable solely from any combination of the following:

(1) The revenues, receipts, funds, and other property of the authority derived from the repayment of equipment loans made with proceeds of such bonds.

(2) Amounts derived from any letter of credit, insurance policy, or any other form of credit enhancement applicable to the bonds or equipment loans made from the proceeds thereof. (3) Any reserve fund, debt service fund, or other fund established for the purpose of making or providing for the payment of debt service on such bonds. (4) Any earnings on the proceeds of bonds invested by the authority pending their disbursement. Bonds shall not be general obligations of the authority, shall not be payable from any state appropriations, and shall not create a debt or obligation of the state.

(c) Pledge of revenues, receipts, and other security. The principal of, premium, if any, and interest on any bonds issued by the authority shall be secured by a pledge of the revenues, receipts, funds, and other property out of which the same may be payable and may be secured by a trust indenture conveying as security for such bonds all or any part of the property of the authority from which the revenues or receipts so pledged may be so derived.

(d) Agreements respecting collection and disposition of proceeds; pledge of bond revenues; liens. The resolution of the board of directors under which any bonds are authorized to be issued and any trust indenture relating thereto may contain any agreements and provisions respecting the collection and disposition of the revenues and receipts subject to such trust indenture, the creation and maintenance of special funds from such revenues and receipts, the rights, duties, and remedies of the parties to any such instrument and the parties for the benefit of whom such instrument is made, and the rights and remedies available in the event of default, all as the board of directors shall deem advisable. Any pledge made with respect to bonds shall be valid and binding from the time such pledge is made; the revenues, receipts, funds, and other properties so pledged shall immediately be subject to the lien of such pledge without any physical delivery thereof or further act; and the lien of such pledge shall be valid and binding as against all parties having claims of any kind against the authority irrespective of whether any such parties have notice thereof. Neither the resolution of the board of directors authorizing the bonds nor any other instrument by which such pledge is created need be recorded. Each pledge, agreement, or trust indenture made for the benefit or security of any holders of the bonds of the authority shall continue effective until the principal of and interest on the bonds for the benefit of which the same were made shall have been fully paid.

(e) Default. In the event of default in such payment or in any agreements of the authority made as a part of the contract under which the bonds were issued, whether contained in the proceedings authorizing the bonds or in any trust indenture executed as security therefor, such default may be enforced by writ of mandamus or any other available remedy under state law.

(f) Execution. All bonds issued by the authority shall be signed by the president or the vice president of the authority and attested by its secretary, and the seal of the authority shall be affixed thereto and attested to by the secretary. The signatures of the president and the secretary may be facsimile signatures and a facsimile of the seal of the authority may be imprinted on bonds if the board of directors provides for the manual authentication of bonds by a trustee or paying agent. Delivery of any bonds so executed shall be valid notwithstanding any change in the officers of the authority or in the seal of the authority after its delivery.

(g) General provisions respecting form, interest rate, maturities, sale, and negotiability of bonds. Bonds may be executed and delivered by the authority at any time and from time to time, shall be in such form and denominations and of such tenor and maturities, shall contain such provisions not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, and shall bear such rate or rates of interest, payable and evidenced in such manner, or may bear no interest, as may be provided by resolution of the board of directors. Bonds of the authority may be sold at either public or private sale in such manner and at such price or prices and at such time or times as may be determined by the board of directors to be most advantageous. The authority may pay all fees, expenses, premiums, and commissions incurred in connection with the issuance of any of its bonds. All bonds shall be construed to be negotiable instruments although payable solely from a specified source. The board of directors of the authority may provide, with the participating educational institutions approval, that such bonds shall bear interest at a rate or rates fixed at the time of the issuance thereof, or at fixed rates which may be changed from time to time during the term of such bonds in accordance with an objective procedure determined by such board of directors at the time of the issuance of such bonds, or at a floating rate or rates which may change from time to time in connection with published interest rates or indexes that reflect an objective response to market changes and interest rates by banks, governmental agencies, or other generally recognized public or private sources of information concerning interest rates. The board of directors may also provide, in its discretion, that interest on such bonds may be payable in cash at fixed intervals, or through one or more payments which reflect compound interest computed at specified intervals on accrued but unpaid interest, or through a discount in the sales price for such bonds equivalent to compound interest on such bonds for all or part of the term thereof, or through any combination of the foregoing methods of providing for the payment of interest.
Ala. Code § 16-33C-10 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 33C / Section 16-33C-10
Section 16-33C-10 Aces Program Generally
Status: in_force

(a) The ACES Program is established as one savings alternative under the plan whereby contributors open ACES savings accounts according to savings agreements for the payment of qualified higher education expenses for a designated beneficiary, as those terms are defined or used in Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or other applicable federal law. The ACES Program includes the ACES Trust Fund, the ACES Administrative Fund, and the ACES Opportunity Enhancement Fund created pursuant to this chapter. The ACES Program may be marketed under a different name than ACES.

(b) The ACES Trust Fund is hereby created and shall be comprised of separate ACES savings accounts held in segregated accounts as established by savings agreements. Funds contributed to the ACES savings accounts established pursuant to the ACES Program are held in trust by the Savings Board for the sole benefit of the contributor and designated beneficiary. Contributions which are received by the ACES Program from any public or private source, except those which are payments of administrative fees, shall be placed in the ACES Trust Fund.

(c) The ACES Administrative Fund is hereby created as a separate fund within the State Treasurer’s office for the purpose of administering the ACES Program. The ACES Administrative Fund shall accept, deposit, and disburse funds for the purpose of administering the ACES Program. All funds in the ACES Administrative Fund are hereby irrevocably pledged to the payment of the administrative costs of the ACES Program. Funds in the ACES Administrative Fund may be invested by the State Treasurer in any investment facility allowed by this chapter. Any interest and earnings from the investment of funds in the ACES Administrative Fund shall be deposited to, and become a part of, the ACES Administrative Fund for use as authorized by this chapter. All funds in the ACES Administrative Fund at the end of each fiscal year of the State of Alabama shall remain in that administrative fund and be automatically carried forward and available to be appropriated by the Alabama Legislature for the administration of the ACES Program.

(d) The State Treasurer is authorized to retain the services of one or more persons as staff members in order to implement and manage the ACES Program. Any expenses incurred shall be paid from the ACES Administrative Fund.

(e) Property and income of the ACES Trust Fund, ACES Administrative Fund, and the ACES Opportunity Enhancement Fund shall be exempt from all taxation by the state and by all of its political subdivisions.

(f) The ACES Opportunity Enhancement Fund is created as a separate fund within the State Treasurer’s office for the purpose of enhancing and providing higher education opportunities and programs, as the Savings Board deems necessary and appropriate. The fund may receive contributions from individuals, private business entities, public corporations, and contractual agreements with service providers. The funds shall be utilized in the discretion and solely at the direction of the Savings Board. The amounts on deposit in the fund shall not constitute property of the state, and the state shall have no claim or interest in them.
Ala. Code § 16-22-13.1 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 22 / Section 16-22-13.1
Section 16-22-13.1 Fiscal Year 2000-2001 Adjustments
Status: in_force

(a) The state Budget Officer shall allocate to the State Board of Education, the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, the Board of Youth Services School District, the Board of Directors of the Alabama School of Fine Arts, and the Board of Trustees of the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science for disbursement to the employees thereof funds based on the criteria established in this section. It is not the intent of this section to make appropriations, but the appropriations required by this section shall be made in the annual budget act for the public schools and colleges for the designated fiscal years.

(1) CERTIFICATED PERSONNEL (K-12). For the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2000, and each year thereafter, each step and cell on the State Minimum Salary Schedule contained in the annual budget act for the public schools shall be increased by the amounts below in addition to the amounts contained in the State Minimum Salary Schedule for the 1999-2000 annual budget act for the public schools as required and provided by Sections 16-6B-8 and 16-13-231. For fiscal year 2000-2001, the State Minimum Salary Schedule shall reflect the following percentage increases: Step Years of Experience Increase 1 Less than 3 1.0% 2 3 but less than 6 1.0% 3 6 but less than 9 4.0% 4 9 but less than 12 4.0% 5 12 but less than 15 4.5% 6 15 but less than 18 5.5% 7 18 but less than 21 5.5% 8 21 or greater 5.5% All certificated employees, including Adult Basic Education and Science in Motion employees, shall be guaranteed pay increases in the amounts indicated above for their years of experience and degrees earned and the corresponding pay increases shall be reflected in the appropriate local salary schedule and paid to each certificated employee. The provisions and requirements of this section shall be in addition to the provisions of Section 16-13-231.1, relating to the State Minimum Salary Schedule. Each certificated employee shall be properly placed on the local salary schedule according to degree earned and years of public education service, either in-state or out-of-state, which shall be not less than the amounts appropriated for the State Minimum Salary Schedule. The employee shall be paid according to degree earned and length of public education experience. The pay increase shall be given to each person employed for the 2000-2001 fiscal year in addition to any state or local step increase to which the employee is otherwise entitled. The local board of education shall transmit to the State Department of Education the appropriate notice of the earned advanced degree for each employee in a timely fashion; thereafter, the employee shall be paid for the advanced degree as soon as the degree is certified to the State Department of Education as being earned. The annual budget act for public education shall contain an appropriation of at least five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each teacher who successfully completes the certification process offered by the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). Payment for passing the NBPTS test shall be appropriated from the Education Trust Fund and shall be given to the qualified teacher in a lump sum payment during the month of October each year thereafter.

(2) EDUCATION SUPPORT PERSONNEL (K-12). A four percent salary increase shall be paid to each public education support worker and adult bus driver employed for the 2000-2001 fiscal year in addition to the salary received during the 1999-2000 fiscal year, except employees covered under the state Merit System at the Department of Youth Services School District. Each governing body of authority shall establish and maintain a salary schedule for each class and type of employee and each step of each salary schedule shall be increased to reflect a four percent pay increase which shall be given to the person employed for the 2000-2001 fiscal year and each year employed thereafter. A separate salary schedule shall be established and maintained for each job. No salary increase or state-provided fringe benefits for any lunchroom worker shall be paid from lunchroom sales or from any other aspect of the Child Nutrition Program. Salary increases provided herein and state-provided fringe benefits are funded from the annual budget act for the public schools and shall not be taken from the Child Nutrition Program.

(3) AIDB. For the fiscal year 2000-2001, employees at the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind shall receive pay increases which shall be in excess of their salaries received during the 1999-2000 fiscal year. The increases shall be as follows:

a. Certificated. The salary schedule for certificated employees shall be revised to reflect at least the following amount of raises:

Step Years of Experience Increase 1 Less than 3 1.0% 2 3 but less than 6 1.0% 3 6 but less than 9 4.0% 4 9 but less than 12 4.0% 5 12 but less than 15 4.5% 6 15 but less than 18 5.5% 7 18 but less than 21 5.5% 8 21 or greater 5.5%

b. Support. A four percent salary increase shall be given to each support worker employed.

c. Miscellaneous Requirements. The board shall establish and maintain a salary schedule for each class and type of employee and each step of each salary schedule shall be increased to reflect the pay increases above which shall be given to each person employed for the 2000-2001 fiscal year and each year employed thereafter. The raises contained in this subsection shall be paid to each employee. A separate salary schedule shall be established and maintained for each job.

(4) TWO-YEAR POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTIONS. The State Board of Education shall revise all salary schedules of the two-year postsecondary institutions to reflect an increase of four percent for the 2000-2001 fiscal year. The pay increases shall be given to each person employed in addition to any step increase to which the employee is otherwise entitled. The Postsecondary Education Department shall take proper steps to ensure that employees on all salary schedules are given full credit for prior work experience in the public schools and colleges, and shall take care to ensure proper placements on the salary schedules. Placement on the revised salary schedules shall be in accordance with the employee’s length of service in public education. No pay increase shall be given to any two-year postsecondary employee in excess of four percent, except as specifically provided in this section. Every employee on salary schedules C-3 shall receive at least a four percent cost-of-living adjustment.

(b) Miscellaneous provisions. The following provisions are hereby established:

(1) FISCAL YEAR. All salaries and salary increases which are established by the Legislature or authorized by the State Board of Education shall be paid in full to each person employed before the end of the applicable fiscal year as defined in Section 16-1-1, as amended.

(2) EXTENDED WORK. Public school employees on contracts which extend beyond 182 days shall be given a pro rata salary increment for each day or partial day of work extending beyond 182 days.

(3) LOCAL INCREMENT. Any cost-of-living adjustment and/or increase on the State Minimum Salary Schedule for teachers as provided in this section shall be exclusive of any local pay increase granted or due to teachers under provisions of the local salary schedule. Any cost-of-living adjustment and/or pay increase required by this section for public school support personnel shall be in addition to any pay increase granted or due to the employees under provisions of the local salary schedules.

(4) REDUCED PAY. No employee shall be dismissed or have his or her work hours reduced or extended or have his or her salary reduced due to the provisions of any pay raise enacted by the Legislature or required by the State Board of Education.

(5) COMMUNITY EDUCATION. Each county and city board of education shall have the option to exclude from the provisions of this section any community education or school-sponsored child care or child enrichment program which is supplemental to the state-required educational program.

(6) LOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS. The pay raise provisions of this section shall not apply to superintendents of education of any school system. Any pay increase given to the superintendent shall be by recorded vote of the governing board of authority.

(7) CAREER TECHNICAL PROGRAMS. There shall be no cutbacks or decreases in the Career Technical Programs of any board as a result of this or any preceding pay raise act of the Legislature. Neither the salaries nor the number of career technical employee positions are to be reduced or diminished in any manner or method as a result of the passage of this section or any prior act after the 1995 fiscal year granting pay increase to any employee of the board. It shall be strictly prohibited for any board or chief executive officer to take monies from the Career Technical Program to finance, in whole or in part, the programs or the salaries of the employees in the Career Technical Program of the board, and the State Board of Education shall take care to protect the viability of the Career Technical Programs of each board.
Ala. Code § 16-4-2 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 4 / Section 16-4-2
Section 16-4-2 Oath
Status: in_force

Before entering upon the duties of the office, the superintendent shall take the oath prescribed in the constitution.
Ala. Code § 16-1-37 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 1 / Section 16-1-37
Section 16-1-37 Issuance of High School Diplomas to Certain Honorably Discharged Veterans
Status: in_force

The State Superintendent of Education may award a standard high school diploma to any honorably discharged veteran who served in the United States Armed Forces at any time between December 7, 1941, and January 31, 1946, between June 27, 1950, and January 31, 1955, or between November 15, 1961, and March 28, 1973; was a resident of Alabama prior to entry into the United States Armed Forces; and whose entry into the United States Armed Forces interrupted high school attendance and prevented graduation. Upon the recommendation of the State Superintendent of Education, the State Board of Education shall develop criteria and guidelines necessary for the implementation of this section.
Ala. Code § 16-25A-7 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 25A / Section 16-25A-7
Section 16-25A-7 Authorization and Execution of Contracts; Evidence of Coverage; Denial of Claims
Status: in_force

(a) The board may execute a contract or contracts to provide for the benefits or the administration of the plan determined in accordance with this article. The contract or contracts may be executed with one or more agencies or corporations licensed to transact or administer group health insurance business in this state. All of the benefits to be provided under this article may be included in one or more similar contracts issued by the same or different companies. The board also may develop a plan whereby the board may become self-insured upon its finding that the arrangement would be financially advantageous to the state and plan participants.

(b)(1) Before entering into any contract or contracts authorized by subsection (a), the board shall invite competitive bids from all qualified entities who may wish to administer or offer plans for the health insurance coverage or the administrative services desired. The board shall award the contract or contracts on a competitive basis as determined by the benefits afforded, administrative costs, the costs to be incurred by employee, retiree, and employer, the experience of the offering company or agency in the group health insurance field, and its facilities for the handling of claims. In evaluating these factors, the board may employ the services of impartial professional insurance analysts or actuaries.

(2) The board shall reevaluate the contract or contracts yearly, and renegotiate all contracts, except for contracts for Medicare retiree health care, on a competitive basis at least every three years. Contracts for Medicare retiree health care shall be renegotiated on a competitive basis at least every five years.

(c) The board may authorize the carrier with whom the primary contracts are executed to reinsure portions of the contract with other carriers which elect to be a reinsurer and who are legally qualified to enter into reinsurance agreement under the laws of this state.

(d) Each employee or retired employee who is covered by the plan provided pursuant to this article shall receive evidence of the coverage. In addition, each employee or retired employee shall receive, upon request, information setting forth the benefits to which the employee or retired employee and his or her dependents are entitled, to whom the benefits shall be payable, to whom claims shall be submitted, and a summary of the provisions of the plan as they affect the employee and his or her dependents.

(e) The plan shall require adequate notice in writing to any participant whose claim for benefits under the plan has been denied, setting forth the specific reasons for the denial, and shall afford a reasonable opportunity to any participant whose claim for benefits has been denied for a full and fair review by the claims administrator upon the written request of the participant, within 60 days after the date of denial, setting forth the specific reasons for review. The claims administrator shall provide in writing, within 60 days after the request for review, a final determination of the claim, provided that an extension of 60 days may be obtained upon written notification to the participant. Review of a final decision by the claims administrator shall be by the Circuit Court of Montgomery County as provided for the review of contested cases under the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act, Section 41-22-20.

(f) The board, at the end of any contract period, may discontinue any contract or contracts the board has executed with any carrier and replace same with a contract or contracts with any other carrier or carriers meeting the requirements of this article.

(g) The Public Education Employees’ Health Insurance Board may enter into contracts of the State Employees’ Insurance Board which were awarded through a competitive bid process, upon the mutual consent of the State Employees’ Insurance Board and the contractor.
Ala. Code § 16-26B-6 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 26B / Section 16-26B-6
Section 16-26B-6 Board of Trustees - Quorum; Executive Committee
Status: in_force

(a) A majority of actively serving members of the school board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. All official actions of the board shall require the favorable vote of a majority of those members present and voting.

(b) Members of the school board shall be compensated for all actual vouchered expenses incurred in the performance of their duties and functions as required by this chapter. The expenses shall be paid by the executive director from funds appropriated by the Legislature and upon the warrant of the school board.

(c) The school board may select from its number an executive committee of five, subject to change and removal by the majority of the board at any time. The executive committee may meet and transact any business that may be transacted by a majority of the board, and whatever acts the executive committee may do shall be considered as done by the whole board.
Ala. Code § 16-41-4 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 41 / Section 16-41-4
Section 16-41-4 Administration of Chapter by State Superintendent of Education; Priorities for Implementation
Status: in_force

(a) The State Superintendent of Education shall administer this chapter pursuant to regulations adopted by the State Board of Education. In administering this chapter, the superintendent shall seek and ask for advice and assistance from the medical association of the State of Alabama and take into consideration the advice of the Department of Public Health.

(b) Priorities for the implementation of this program shall include the following:

(1) The implementation of in-service education programs for teachers, administrators and other personnel. Special emphasis shall be placed on methods and materials necessary for the effective teaching of drug abuse education. In-service teacher education materials which are based on individual performance and designed for use with a minimum of supervision shall be developed and made available to all county and city school systems;

(2) Establishing resource centers located in various regions of the state for the purpose of assisting the Department of Education in coordinating drug abuse education activities in that region;

(3) Expanding degree programs for the preparation of drug education specialists. Special attention shall be given to performance based criteria and to the development and articulation of appropriate drug abuse education courses at junior colleges;

(4) Designing programs for the selection and training of school paraprofessional personnel and personnel of nonschool health or health related agencies; and

(5) Implementing the provisions of this chapter to insure that actual pupil instruction in drug abuse education will begin with the opening of the 1971-72 school year, as part of the curriculum of every elementary, junior and senior high school in this state.
Ala. Code § 16-6J-3 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 6J / Section 16-6J-3
Section 16-6J-3 Refundable Income Tax Credit Established; Applicability; Priority
Status: in_force

(a) To offset the cost of qualifying educational expenses, there is established a refundable income tax credit subject to this chapter and to the availability of monies in the CHOOSE Act Fund established pursuant to Section 16-6J-8.

(b)(1) For the years beginning on January 1, 2025, and January 1, 2026, the credit shall be available to the parent of an eligible student whose family had an adjusted gross income not exceeding 300 percent of the federal poverty level for the preceding tax year. The credit shall be awarded in an amount specified in subsection (c) and subject to the priorities specified in subsection (d).

(2) For the years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, the credit shall be available to any parent of an eligible student. The credit shall be awarded in an amount specified in subsection (c) and subject to the priorities specified in subsection (d).

(c)(1) For participating students enrolled in a participating school, the annual amount of the credit shall be seven thousand dollars ($7,000) or the actual cost of the qualifying educational expenses, whichever is less.

(2) For participating students not enrolled in a participating school, the annual amount of the credit shall be two thousand dollars ($2,000) or the actual cost of the qualifying educational expenses, whichever is less, provided that the aggregate amount of all credits awarded to a parent for such students shall not exceed four thousand dollars ($4,000).

(d) In allocating the tax credits made available pursuant to subsection (b), the department shall give priority first to participating students and siblings of participating students, then to participating students who are dependents of active duty service members enrolled in or assigned to a priority school as defined in Section 16-6D-4, and then based on the family’s adjusted gross income as a percentage of the federal poverty level, provided that the department shall reserve the first 500 tax credits for the parent of an eligible student who is a special-needs student.

(e) If the department awards a tax credit to a parent for one eligible student, the department shall award additional tax credits to the parent for any other eligible student in the family who is a sibling of the eligible student for whom a tax credit was previously awarded. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to authorize the award of more than one tax credit per participating student.

(f) Failure to provide required documentation for the tax credits provided in this section shall result in the automatic denial of the respective tax credit.

(g) Amounts received pursuant to this section do not constitute taxable income to the parent of a participating student or to the participating student. The refundable income tax credit provided under this section shall not be subject to offset or debt collection against any liability.

(h) A participating student who is a special-needs student remains eligible to receive special education or similar services from the resident school district as provided by federal or state law.

(i) Nothing in this chapter shall affect or change the athletic eligibility of student athletes governed by the Alabama High School Athletic Association or similar association.
Ala. Code § 16-12-15 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 12 / Section 16-12-15
Section 16-12-15 Administration of Office; Supervision of Employees
Status: in_force

The city superintendent of schools, acting under the rules and regulations of the city board of education, shall be responsible for the administration of the office of superintendent of schools, and he shall see that all regular appointees of the city board of education devote their entire time to their duties.
Ala. Code § 16-36-2 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 36 / Section 16-36-2
Section 16-36-2 State Textbook Committee - Composition; Appointment and Terms of Members; Vacancies; Qualifying Affidavits of Members
Status: reserved

Repealed by Act 98-320, §13 effective July 1, 1998.
Ala. Code § 16-22-16 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 22 / Section 16-22-16
Section 16-22-16 Registered Nurses Required
Status: reserved

(a) The State Department of Education and the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind shall require the employment of school nurses in each local school system.

(b) There shall not be greater than five licensed practical nurses to one registered nurse within each school system. However, based upon individual circumstances, including specific medical needs and tasks which must be performed by a registered nurse as set forth in the Nurse Practice Act and the Administrative Code rules of the Alabama Board of Nursing, there may be a lower registered nurse to licensed practical nurse ratio within each school system.

(c) The allotment of school nurses shall be distributed so that each school system shall receive one registered nurse and an additional nurse or nurses or fraction of a nursing allocation based upon the average daily membership during the first 20 scholastic days after Labor Day of the preceding school year.

(d) Each local school superintendent shall designate one registered nurse for the entire school system whose responsibilities shall include annually providing a full and comprehensive assessment of all student health needs within that system. Based upon the assessment findings, the designated nurse shall make a recommendation to the local school superintendent concerning the implementation and coordination of student health needs.

(e) The State Department of Education shall employ a School Nurse Consultant, who shall be a registered nurse, to provide supervision of programs statewide and implement school nursing programs as established by the State Board of Education.

(f) At a minimum, all school nurses shall be paid according to the statewide salary schedule for school nurses which shall be included in the annual budget act for the public schools.

(g) The amounts necessary to meet the requirements of this section shall be appropriated in the annual budget act for the public schools and in the annual budget act for the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind. The funding for this requirement is contingent upon available revenue in the Education Trust Fund and appropriation by the Legislature.

(h) Funding provisions of the School Nurses Act shall be met once every public school in Alabama has a school nurse and a ratio of one state-funded school nurse for every 500 pupils exists statewide.

(i) This section shall be construed in pari materia with other laws, but to the effect that this section specifically conflicts with other laws in direct conflict with this section, then those laws or parts of laws are hereby repealed.
Ala. Code § 16-36-31 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 36 / Section 16-36-31
Section 16-36-31 Record of Textbooks Delivered to Local Superintendents; Audit of Accounting Books and Records; Certification of Required Inventory; Furnishing of Blanks and Forms
Status: reserved

Repealed by Act 98-320, §13 effective July 1, 1998.
Ala. Code § 16-13A-3 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 13A / Section 16-13A-3
Section 16-13A-3 Financial Training of Local Superintendents of Education
Status: in_force

(a) The State Superintendent of Education shall develop programs for the instruction and training of local superintendents of education in subjects including finance, instruction, and legal requirements. The instruction and training shall be designed to instill a minimum level of competence in local superintendents of education. Tests of competency shall be administered by the State Superintendent of Education as required by Section 16-1-38.

(b) Persons employed before June 1, 2006, as local superintendents by a local board of education or elected by the people shall complete the mandated training and pass the mandated competency test within three years of June 1, 2006, unless they shall sooner become employed by another local board of education in which case they shall immediately complete the mandated training and competency test. All local superintendents of education shall complete the mandated training and pass the mandated competency test before being hired or elected as a local superintendent or after assuming office as provided in subsection (c).

(c) The State Superintendent of Education, based upon reasonable cause, may allow a newly elected or appointed superintendent to attend and satisfactorily complete the training after assuming office.
Ala. Code § 16-26A-8 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 26A / Section 16-26A-8
Section 16-26A-8 Funds for Use in Operating or Providing Programs by the School
Status: in_force

Nothing in this chapter shall be so construed as to prohibit or prevent the board from accepting federal funds or monies from any corporation or other private contributor for use in operating the school or providing programs by the school.
Ala. Code § 16-46C-7 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 46C / Section 16-46C-7
Section 16-46C-7 Rulemaking Authority
Status: in_force

The State Board of Education shall adopt rules as necessary to implement this chapter.
Ala. Code § 16-60-350 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 60 / Section 16-60-350
Section 16-60-350 Definitions
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this article, the following words shall have the following meanings:

(1) CAREER-TECHNICAL DUAL ENROLLMENT PROGRAM. A program that allows eligible high school students to enroll in college-level career technical education courses, as designed by the Chancellor of the Department of Postsecondary Education, that are offered at Alabama Community College System institutions and allows such enrolled students to concurrently earn high school and college credit in courses toward a certificate or degree, or both, and which prepares them to enter the workforce in high skill, high wage, or high demand occupations.

(2) CONTRIBUTION. A donation of cash.

(3) ELIGIBLE STUDENT. A high school student who meets the eligibility requirements and standards as prescribed by State Board of Education policy to enroll for Career-Technical Dual Enrollment Program courses.

(4) QUALIFYING EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES. Tuition, fees, books, materials, and supplies required of or on behalf of a student by the Alabama Community College System institution or institutions for participation in a Career-Technical Dual Enrollment Program.

(5) TAXPAYER. An individual taxpayer, a married couple filing a joint tax return, a limited liability company, a corporation, or any other business entity lawfully organized and created under the laws of this state or other state.
Ala. Code § 16-13-12 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 13 / Section 16-13-12
Section 16-13-12 Custodian of School Funds - Removal
Status: reserved

Repealed by Act 2006-196, p. 275, §5, effective June 1, 2006.
Ala. Code § 16-48-12 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 48 / Section 16-48-12
Section 16-48-12 Police Officers
Status: in_force

(a) The president of Auburn University, with the approval of the board of trustees, is hereby authorized to appoint and employ suitable persons to act as police officers to keep off intruders and prevent trespass upon and damage to the property and grounds of the university. Such persons shall be charged with all the duties and invested with all the powers of police officers and may eject trespassers from the university buildings and grounds, and may, without a warrant, arrest any person guilty of disorderly conduct or of trespass upon the property of the university, or for any public offense committed in their presence, and carry them before the nearest district court or municipal court charged with the trial of such offenders, before whom, upon proper affidavit charging the offense, any person so arrested may be tried and convicted as in cases of persons brought before him on his warrant; and such officers shall have authority to summon a posse comitatus and may, with a warrant, arrest any person found upon or near the premises of the university charged with any public offense and take them before the proper officer.

(b) The police officers provided for in this section shall cooperate with, and, when requested, furnish assistance to the regularly constituted authorities of the municipality of Auburn; and their jurisdiction and authority shall be coextensive with the corporate limits of the municipality.
Ala. Code § 16-25A-41 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 25A / Section 16-25A-41
Section 16-25A-41 Definitions
Status: in_force

The following terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) BOARD. The Public Education Flexible Employees Benefit Board.

(2) EMPLOYEE. Any person employed by a state or local board of education, postsecondary institution, or other employer with employees as defined by Sections 16-25A-1 and 16-25A-11 participating in a state health insurance program.

(3) EMPLOYER. Any local board of education within the State of Alabama or other public institution of education within the state that provides instruction at any combination of grades K-14 exclusively, under the auspices of the State Board of Education, or the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, or entities whose employees are covered by the Public Education Employees’ Health Insurance Plan pursuant to Section 16-25A-11.

(4) INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(5) PARTICIPATING EMPLOYEE. An employee who elects to participate in the flexible benefit plan and meets the requirements set forth in the plan.

(6) SALARY REDUCTION AGREEMENT. A written agreement between a participating employee and a state agency, department, board of education, institution, or other employer with employees as defined by Section 16-25A-1, whereby the employee agrees to reduce his or her salary by a stated amount, or an amount equal to the cost of benefits selected under a flexible employee benefit plan, and the state agency, department, board of education, or other employer with employees as defined by Section 16-25A-11 agrees to contribute such amounts to cover the cost of benefits selected by the participating employee, including related administrative expenses.
Ala. Code § 16-6A-5 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 6A / Section 16-6A-5
Section 16-6A-5 Governor’s Educational Reform Commission - Composition; Funding
Status: in_force

(a) There is hereby created the Governor’s Educational Reform Commission. Such commission shall be composed of the Governor, the State Superintendent of Education, the President of the Alabama Parent-Teacher Association, the Executive Director of the Alabama Education Association, the Executive Director of the Alabama Association of School Boards, the Executive Director of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, the president of the Alabama Education Association, the Executive Director of the Alabama Council of School Administrators and Supervisors, the Chancellor of postsecondary education, one member who shall be a business person appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the Alabama Association of School Boards, one member of the Senate appointed by the Governor, one member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Governor, and three black members appointed by the Governor as hereinafter provided. Within 90 days after the passage of this chapter, the Governor shall appoint the aforementioned three members to the commission. Members by virtue of their position shall serve on the commission as long as they serve in their respective position. Members appointed by the Governor shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments were made.

(b) To fund the duties and responsibilities enumerated in this chapter for said commission, there is hereby appropriated to the Governor’s Educational Reform Commission from the Education Trust Fund the sum of $100,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1985.
Ala. Code § 16-28-3.1 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 28 / Section 16-28-3.1
Section 16-28-3.1 Guidelines and Procedures for Withdrawal from School; Dropout Prevention Program
Status: in_force

(a)(1) A child who is 17 years of age or older may withdraw from public school prior to graduation if both of the following circumstances exist:

a. Written consent is granted by the child’s parent or legal guardian.

b. An exit interview is conducted where the student and the student’s parent or legal guardian have been advised that withdrawal from school shall likely reduce the student’s future earning potential and increase the student’s likelihood of being unemployed in the future. During the exit interview, the student who is withdrawing from school shall be given information that has been prepared and supplied by the State Department of Education regarding the detrimental impacts and effects of early withdrawal from school along with any available training and employment opportunity programs, provided such information is available.

(2) Information provided during an exit interview by a local high school shall include materials describing available adult education programs and services offered by eligible adult education providers. The materials shall include, but not be limited to, General Education Diploma (GED) preparation services, the nontraditional high school diploma option program, and other programs and pathways available for earning industry certifications and credentials. The materials shall be developed by the Adult Education Division of the Alabama Community College System and approved by the State Department of Education. The local high school shall also provide a withdrawing student with a copy of his or her academic records, including his or her current transcript, contact information for available counseling services, and any requested referrals to available adult education programs.

(b) The State Department of Education shall work with local public school systems that have the lowest four-year graduation rates. The department shall incorporate specific dropout prevention strategies, target resources, and gather data that will improve graduation rates and educational outcomes in all grades in all public schools. The department shall develop specific methods of targeted intervention or identify appropriate existing methods for local public school systems that have a four-year graduation rate less than the percentage as determined by the State Board of Education. These interventions may include the following:

(1) Early intervention for students who fail Algebra I, or any ninth grade reading or math class, and have insufficient credits to be promoted.

(2) Alternative education programs designed to reengage dropouts including, but not limited to, dual enrollment courses at the community college level and participation in the nontraditional high school diploma option.

(3) Increased availability of advanced placement courses.

(4) Offering full course fee waivers for students who are eligible for free or reduced lunches, when enrolled in dual credit courses.

(5) Flexible programs for older students who are currently not enrolled.

(6) Comprehensive coaching for middle school and high school students who are below grade level in reading and math or who are at risk due to poor attendance, behavior, or safety issues including, but not limited to, harassment and bullying.

(7) Teacher advisories and other supports that are designed to specifically address the needs of those students who are most at risk of dropping out of school by providing opportunities to build positive connections with peers and teachers and providing assistance with course selection, school performance, and completion of graduation requirements. Students who are most at risk of dropping out of school include, but are not limited to, those students who move often, have poor attendance, or have multiple suspensions or discipline issues.

(8) Strategies that are specifically designed to improve high school graduation rates for those teenagers who are at the highest risk of dropping out, including, but not limited to, students in the foster care system, pregnant students, student parents, English as second language students, and students with special educational needs.

(c) The State Department of Education, in addition to other information and data, shall compile all of the following data to ensure that the dropout prevention program, and local versions of the program, are based upon evidence-based research, are data-driven, and show continuous improvement in all of the following:

(1) The total number of high school suspensions related to truancy.

(2) The total number of students enrolled in alternative education programs, including the nontraditional high school diploma option.

(3) The total number of students who have been reenrolled in programs with flexible schedules or community college programs.

(4) The total number of students who have failed Algebra I or ninth grade reading or math.

(5) The total number of students who are repeating the ninth grade.

(6) The total number of students receiving remedial assistance in the ninth grade.

(d) The State Department of Education shall prepare and submit to the Legislature a written report that documents all of the following:

(1) The outcomes of the dropout prevention strategies to date, at the local school system level.

(2) Any planned modification of school system dropout prevention strategies and activities, based on the data compiled.

(e) Each local education agency shall report to the State Department of Education, on a quarterly or more frequent basis, student withdrawal data. This data shall include specific information regarding the names and number of students who have withdrawn from each school district. The State Department of Education shall enter into a data sharing agreement with the Adult Education Division of the Alabama Community College System so this data may be accessed as needed.
Ala. Code § 16-18B-8 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 18B / Section 16-18B-8
Section 16-18B-8 Bonds - Payment of Principal, Premium, and Interest; Records
Status: in_force

The State Treasurer is authorized and directed to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the bonds issued under the provisions of this article, as such principal, premium, if any, and interest shall respectively mature, and he is further authorized and directed to set up and maintain appropriate records pertaining thereto.
Ala. Code § 16-48-1 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 48 / Section 16-48-1
Section 16-48-1 Body Corporate
Status: in_force

The Governor and the State Superintendent of Education by virtue of their respective offices, and the trustees appointed from the different congressional districts of the state, under the provisions of Section 266 of the Constitution of 1901, and their successors in office, are constituted a body corporate under the name of Auburn University, to carry into effect the purposes and intent of the Congress of the United States in the grant of lands by the act of July 2, 1862.
Ala. Code § 16-61C-4 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 61C / Section 16-61C-4
Section 16-61C-4 Rules and Regulations; Schedule for Expansion of Program; Advisory Committee
Status: in_force

(a) The State Board of Education may promulgate necessary rules and regulations for the effective administration of the Alabama Science in Motion Program, in accordance with applicable state laws. Upon the recommendation of the State Superintendent of Education the State Board of Education shall adopt a flexible schedule, of not more than five years, that will provide for the complete statewide expansion of the Alabama Science in Motion Program to eleven networks, one network to operate within the service region of each of the eleven existing Alabama Regional Inservice Centers. ASIM Program expansion shall be completed when each network shall operate one van for each of the three core sciences, namely biology, chemistry and physics. The schedule shall consist of three or more phases; provided, that all effort shall be made to ensure that no geographic region of the state shall be unduly neglected by the schedule as the expansion of the ASIM Program unfolds.

It is hereby expressly provided that each phase of the schedule shall be implemented only to the extent that funding is appropriated or otherwise made available for implementation.

(b) There is hereby created an Alabama Science in Motion Advisory Committee consisting of not more than twelve members who shall advise the State Superintendent of Education on the operational activities of the ASIM Program. The membership of the ASIM Advisory Committee shall be comprised of six project directors, three van operators and three classroom science teachers; provided, however, that each of the eleven sites shall be represented by at least one member of the ASIM Advisory Committee.
Ala. Code § 16-25-3.1 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 25 / Section 16-25-3.1
Section 16-25-3.1 Purchase of Credit for Service by Members Age 61 or Older at Time of Employment
Status: in_force

Any member of the Teachers’ Retirement System of Alabama who was prohibited from participating in the Teachers’ Retirement System because such member was age 61 or older at the time of his employment may purchase credit for any such service including service subsequent to July 1, 1988, for which the member would have been eligible for coverage except for his age, provided that such member shall pay to the Secretary-Treasurer of the Teachers’ Retirement System within one year after October 1, 1989, a sum equal to the total contributions which he would have made as a member during the period of such employment plus eight percent interest on such total contributions compounded annually from the date of such service.
Ala. Code § 16-33A-3 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 33A / Section 16-33A-3
Section 16-33A-3 Amount of Grant for Each Eligible Student; Grants Payable to Institutions on Behalf of Students
Status: in_force

There is granted to each eligible student attending an approved institution the sum of three thousand dollars ($3,000) per academic year, which sum shall be distributed to the institution on behalf of and to the credit of the student in accordance with rules adopted by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education.
Ala. Code § 16-11-10 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 11 / Section 16-11-10
Section 16-11-10 Quadrennial Census for City
Status: in_force

The city board of education, subject to the provisions of this title, shall cause to be taken under the direction of the city superintendent of schools a quadrennial school census of the school children in the city between the ages of six and 19 years. The school census shall be taken in July of 1946, and every four years thereafter, and the superintendent of schools, upon the direction at any time of the State Superintendent of Education, shall cause the whole or any part of the school census in the city to be retaken. The city superintendent of schools shall employ, with the approval of the city board of education, a sufficient number of enumerators to take the census during the month of July, or at such other time as the State Superintendent of Education shall cause the whole or any part of the school census in said city to be retaken. The city board of education, upon the recommendation of the city superintendent of schools, shall fix the compensation of the enumerators employed in taking any school census and shall order the same paid out of the city treasury. The report of the enumerators shall be made under oath to the city superintendent of schools not later than the fifth day of August next succeeding the time of the taking of such census, and the data gathered shall be in turn transmitted by the city superintendent of schools to the county superintendent of education not later than the fifteenth day of August thereafter.
Ala. Code § 16-6H-2 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 6H / Section 16-6H-2
Section 16-6H-2 Definitions
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(1) ALGEBRAIC REASONING. Recognizing and generalizing about patterns and relationships; representing patterns and relationships by analyzing structures of the patterns; and using mathematical models (concrete, pictorial, and abstract) to represent patterns.

(2) AMSTI. The Alabama Mathematics, Science, and Technology Initiative.

(3) CARDINALITY. Understanding that the last number word said when counting tells how many objects have been counted.

(4) COMPUTATIONAL FLUENCY. Possessing efficient and accurate methods for computing.

(5) CONCEPTUAL UNDERSTANDING. The ability to reason in settings involving the careful application of concept definitions, relations, or representations of either.

(6) DEPARTMENT. The State Department of Education.

(7) DYSCALCULIA. A term used to refer to a pattern of learning difficulties characterized by problems processing numerical information, learning arithmetic facts, performing accurate or fluent calculations, difficulties with mathematical reasoning, and difficulties with word reasoning accuracy.

(8) EARLY NUMERACY SCREENING. Standardized measures that assess a student’s fluency in foundational mathematics skills.

(9) FLUENCY. The ability of students to choose flexibly among methods and strategies to solve contextual and mathematical problems, to understand and explain their approaches, and to produce accurate answers efficiently.

(10) FULL SUPPORT SCHOOL. The lowest performing elementary schools as measured by mathematics proficiency on the approved state summative assessment.

(11) K-5 SCHOOL. Any public school in the state providing instruction in grades kindergarten through fifth, or any configuration of those grades.

(12) LIMITED SUPPORT SCHOOLS. The second lowest percent performing elementary schools as measured by mathematics proficiency on the state approved summative assessment.

(13) LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION. A county or city board of education.

(14) LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCY. A county school system or city school system operating public primary and secondary schools.

(15) MENTAL COMPUTATION. The process of working on a problem and obtaining the exact or approximate answers mentally without reliance on external tools.

(16) MULTI-TIERED SYSTEM OF SUPPORT. A tiered system of supports that integrates assessment and intervention within a school-wide, multi-level prevention system to maximize student achievement and reduce behavioral problems. A multi-tiered system of support promotes systems alignment to increase efficiency and effectiveness of resources.

(17) NUMBER SENSE. The ability to represent numbers in multiple ways, numerical magnitude estimation, selecting and using benchmarks, such as tens or hundreds, decomposing and recomposing number, understanding the effects of operations on number, and performing mental calculation and estimation.

(18) NUMERACY. The ability to understand and work with numbers.

(19) PLACE VALUE UNDERSTANDING. The understanding of representations and concepts necessary to successfully process multi-digit numbers.

(20) PROCEDURAL FLUENCY. The ability to apply procedures accurately, efficiently, and flexibly; to transfer procedures to different problems and contexts; to build or modify procedures from other procedures; and to recognize when one strategy or procedure is more appropriate to apply than another.

(21) RESPONSE TO INTERVENTION. A process within the system of a multi-tiered system of support framework. Response to intervention is part of the data-based decision-making process within progress monitoring where team members review data to determine how students are responding to the interventions in place.

(22) SPATIAL REASONING. The capacity to mentally generate, transform, and rotate a visual image and thus understand and recall spatial relationships between objects.

(23) STEM. Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

(24) SUBITIZING. Quickly recognizing and naming how many objects are in a small group without counting.
Ala. Code § 16-30A-9 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 30A / Section 16-30A-9
Section 16-30A-9 Liability of School Employees
Status: in_force

A school employee shall be immune from suit and not liable for any civil damages as a result of his or her acts or omissions in the supervision or rendering of services, care, or assistance to a student under this chapter, nor shall he or she be liable for any civil damages as a result of any act, or failure to act, to provide or arrange for further treatment, care, or assistance.
Ala. Code § 16-36-38 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 36 / Section 16-36-38
Section 16-36-38 Charging More Than Contract Price for School Books
Status: reserved

Repealed by Act 98-320, §13 effective July 1, 1998.
Ala. Code § 16-18B-13 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 18B / Section 16-18B-13
Section 16-18B-13 Refunding Bonds
Status: in_force

Pursuant to the provisions of the aforesaid amendment and this article, the corporation may, at any time and from time to time, issue for the state refunding bonds of the state for the purpose of refunding any or all of the bonds authorized by the amendment then outstanding (including any refunding bonds that may have been previously issued), whether such refunding shall occur before, at or after the maturity of the bonds to be refunded. In the discretion of the corporation, refunding bonds may be issued in exchange for such outstanding bonds or they may be sold and the proceeds thereof applied to the purchase, redemption or payment of outstanding bonds. Refunding bonds to be sold pursuant hereto may be issued in such principal amount or amounts as shall be determined by the corporation. Pending the application of the proceeds of refunding bonds issued in accordance with this section, such proceeds, together with investment income therefrom, and moneys in any sinking fund for the bonds to be refunded, together with investment income therefrom, may be held by the State Treasurer, in trust, or may be deposited by the State Treasurer, in trust, on such terms as the State Treasurer shall approve, with one or more trustees or escrow agents which trustees or escrow agents shall be trust companies or national or state banks having powers of a trust company within or without the state, for investment in direct general obligations of, or obligations the payment of the principal of and interest on which are unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by, the United States of America. The proceeds of refunding bonds, together with the investment income therefrom, and moneys in any sinking fund for the bonds to be refunded, together with investment income therefrom, shall be available for the payment of all or any part of the principal, interest, and redemption premium, if any, of the bonds to be refunded and of such refunding bonds, or any of them, as the corporation in its discretion shall prescribe. Proceeds of refunding bonds shall be so invested and applied as to assure that the principal, interest, and redemption premium, if any, on the bonds to be refunded thereby shall be paid in full on their respective maturity, interest, or redemption payment dates. The State Treasurer may contract with respect to the safekeeping and application of proceeds derived from the sale and issuance of refunding bonds and other funds included therewith and the income therefrom, including the right to appoint a trustee which may be any trust company or national or state bank having powers of a trust company within or without the state. As provided in the amendment, refunding bonds issued pursuant to the provisions of this article shall not be obligations of the Alabama Forensic Sciences Bond Authority, but shall be general obligations of the State of Alabama, and the full faith and credit and taxing power of the state are hereby irrevocably pledged for the prompt and faithful payment of the principal of all refunding bonds and the interest and redemption premium (if any) thereon. Except as herein expressly provided otherwise, all provisions of this article regarding the terms and conditions of the bonds to be issued pursuant to this article, as well as the sale, issuance, and execution thereof and the security therefor, shall apply to all refunding bonds issued hereunder; provided, however, that no refunding bonds shall be issued unless the present value of all debt service on the refunding bonds (computed with a discount rate equal to the true interest rate of the refunding bonds and taking into account all underwriting discount and other issuance expenses) shall not be greater than 95% of the present value of all debt service on the bonds to be refunded (computed using the same discount rate and taking into account the underwriting discount and other issuance expenses originally applicable to such bonds) determined as if such bonds to be refunded were paid and retired in accordance with the schedule of maturities (considering mandatory redemption as a scheduled maturity) provided at the time of their issuance. Provided further that the average maturity of the refunding bonds, as measured from the date of issuance of such refunding bonds, shall not exceed by more than three years the average maturity of the bonds to be refunded, as also measured from such date of issuance, with the average maturity of any principal amount of bonds to be determined by multiplying the principal of each maturity by the number of years (including any fractional part of a year) intervening between such date of issuance and each such maturity, taking the sum of all such products, and then dividing such sum by the aggregate principal amount of bonds for which the average maturity is to be determined.
Ala. Code § 16-7A-5 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 7A / Section 16-7A-5
Section 16-7A-5 Activities of Authority Not to Include Propaganda, Political Campaigns, Etc
Status: in_force

The activities of the authority shall not include, directly or indirectly, the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation or engaging in political campaigns.
Ala. Code § 16-28-4 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 28 / Section 16-28-4
Section 16-28-4 Minimum Age for Attendance at Public Schools
Status: in_force

(a) A child who is five years of age on or before September 1 or the date on which school begins in the enrolling district shall be entitled to admission to kindergarten in the public elementary schools at the opening of schools for that school year or as soon as practicable thereafter.

(b) An underage child may be admitted to public kindergarten on approval of the local board of education, on a space available basis, in either of the following circumstances:

(1) The underage child transfers from a public kindergarten in another state.

(2) The child will become five years of age between September 1 and December 31, and the child satisfies certain criteria that the local board of education may establish for underage enrollment which, if adopted, shall include the successful completion of an assessment to determine developmental readiness for enrollment as provided in subsection (g).

(c) A child who successfully completes kindergarten by the date on which school begins in the enrolling district shall be entitled to admission to the first grade in the local public school at the opening of schools for that school year or as soon as practicable thereafter.

(d) A child who is six years of age on or before December 31, or the date on which school begins in the enrolling district, and who has not successfully completed kindergarten, shall be entitled to admission to the first grade in the local public school at the opening of schools for that school year or as soon as practicable thereafter, as long as the child demonstrates first grade entry readiness, as determined by the State Board of Education, on an assessment of essential development and physical skills as provided in subsection (g), which shall be created by the State Department of Education and approved by the State Board of Education. The department shall publish information about essential first grade readiness skills on its website. If a child does not meet first grade readiness, as determined on the assessment approved by the State Board of Education and as provided in subsection (g), the child shall be enrolled in kindergarten.

(e) An underage child, regardless of whether he or she has successfully completed kindergarten or otherwise demonstrates first grade readiness, may be admitted to the public school first grade if the underage child transfers from the first grade of a school in another state.

(f) Nothing in this section shall affect the eligibility of students for special education services as provided by federal and state law.

(g)(1) For the 2025-2026 school year, a student entering first grade who has not completed kindergarten shall complete the assessment at the beginning of the school year to determine developmental readiness for enrollment. For this initial year assessment, no student shall be prevented from enrollment in the first grade based on his or her performance on the assessment. During the second semester of the first-grade year, students shall take an early years assessment to identify any areas of deficiencies. Programs, resources, and materials shall be made available to those students who perform below standards on the assessment.

(2) For the 2026-2027 school year, a student entering first grade who has not completed kindergarten shall complete the assessment at the beginning of the school year to determine developmental readiness for enrollment. During the second semester of the first-grade year, students shall take an early years assessment to identify any areas of deficiencies. Programs, resources, and materials shall be made available to those students who perform below standards of assessment.

(h) No public school system shall lose any teacher unit as a result of this section. The State Board of Education is authorized to adopt policies for local boards of education for the implementation of this section.

(i) The State Department of Education shall develop an informational campaign to promote kindergarten and encourage parents of school-age students to enroll their children in a kindergarten program. The campaign shall be targeted, and priority shall be given to areas with the largest number of students currently not enrolled in kindergarten programs.
Ala. Code § 16-52-9 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 52 / Section 16-52-9
Section 16-52-9 Board of Trustees - Payment of Expenses
Status: in_force

The certificate of the president of the board or, in his absence, of the president pro tempore, countersigned by the secretary, shall entitle the several trustees to the payment of their actual expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties as such trustees.
Ala. Code § 16-1-24.3 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 1 / Section 16-1-24.3
Section 16-1-24.3 Local Boards of Education to Implement Policies Requiring Expulsion of Students Who Possess Firearms in School Areas
Status: in_force

(a) All city and county boards of education shall develop and implement local policies and procedures requiring the expulsion of students, for a period of one year, who are determined to have brought to school or have in their possession a firearm in a school building, on school grounds, on school buses, or at other school-sponsored functions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, city and county boards of education and the local superintendent of education of each board may modify the expulsion requirement for a student on a case-by-case basis. Students who are expelled for violation of this section shall not be allowed to attend regular school classes in any public school in the state during the expulsion period. Students who are expelled from schools for firearm possession may be permitted to attend alternative schools designed to provide education services. Discipline of students with disabilities who violate the firearm possession policies of city and county boards of education shall be determined on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

(b) For the purposes of this section, the term “firearm” has the same meaning as defined in Section 921 of Title 18 of the United States Code.

(c) When there are violations of the prohibition on firearms being brought to school or the possession of firearms by students, the school principal shall notify the appropriate law enforcement authority which may include city police, county sheriffs, and the local district attorney. In addition to notification of law enforcement officials, the school principal shall notify the parents of students who violate the firearm-free school environment provided for in this section.

Law enforcement authorities involved with students charged with firearm violations shall refer the violators of this section to the appropriate authority in the judicial system when the action is feasible.

(d) Local education agencies submitting applications for federal funds to the State Department of Education shall include in the application:

(1) An affidavit to affirm that the local education agency has developed and implemented a policy to provide for a gun-free environment in all its public schools.

(2) A description of the circumstances surrounding an expulsion imposed under this section including:

a. The name of the school concerned.

b. The number of students expelled.

c. The types of weapons concerned.

The State Department of Education shall report the information collected from the local education agencies to the Secretary of Education.
Ala. Code § 16-47-9 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 47 / Section 16-47-9
Section 16-47-9 Additional Copies of the State Publications Furnished Law Department for Exchange
Status: reserved

The Secretary of State shall furnish to the School of Law of the University of Alabama, in addition to those furnished for use therein, as many copies, but not to exceed 60 each, of all reports and publications of the State of Alabama and its several departments, agencies and institutions, including, the Alabama Code, general and local acts, Senate and House journals and other legislative documents as may be requested by the dean of the school for use in exchange with the several states or territories of the United States, the Dominion or provinces of Canada, the Republic of Mexico, the Philippine Republic, the Republic of South Africa, the Australian Commonwealth or the Dominion of New Zealand, or any of the departments, agencies or institutions thereof for similar reports and publications of each of those states, territories or nations; provided, that exchanges shall not be made to secure more than one copy of any publication.

This section shall apply to existing stocks of all such reports and publications that are not already reserved or set aside by law for a specific purpose, to all such reports and publications hereafter printed or published and to all reports and publications which the state is able to purchase at a predetermined price; but no reprint of any report or publication shall be undertaken to supply copies thereof for exchange purposes.
Ala. Code § 16-13-237 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 13 / Section 16-13-237
Section 16-13-237 Funding City Board of Education Beyond Board’s Pro Rata Share of Countywide Tax
Status: in_force

It is not the intent of the Legislature to require, and the Legislature expressly so declares that it does not require, any county to provide funding to any city board of education beyond the city board of education’s pro rata share of any countywide tax.
Ala. Code § 16-17A-4 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 17A / Section 16-17A-4
Section 16-17A-4 Articles of Incorporation - Requirements
Status: in_force

(a) In addition to any other matters relating to the authority that the sponsoring university may choose to insert and that are not inconsistent with state law, the articles of incorporation of an authority shall include the following provisions:

(1) The name of the authority, which shall include the word Authority and shall include words identifying the sponsoring university.

(2) The name of the sponsoring university and the date on which the governing body of the sponsoring university adopted a resolution authorizing the organization of the authority.

(3) The name and address of the registered agent of the authority.

(4) A statement that the authority is organized pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

(5) A statement that the authority shall exercise all powers provided by law, unless the exercise by the authority of any of its powers hereunder is limited in any way, in which case a statement of such limitations on the powers of the authority shall be included.

(6) A statement that the duration of existence of the authority shall be perpetual, unless the sponsoring university authorizes a shorter duration.

(7) The number of directors, which shall be an odd number not less than three, and the duration of their respective terms of office, which shall not be in excess of six years.

(8) Provisions for appointing or removing directors of the authority, subject to the provisions of Section 16-17A-6; provided, however, that if no such provisions are specified in the articles of incorporation, all directors of an authority shall be appointed or elected by the sponsoring university and shall be subject to removal by the sponsoring university at any time, with or without cause.

(b) The articles of incorporation shall be executed as provided in the resolution authorizing incorporation of the authority.

(c) When the articles of incorporation are filed for record with the Secretary of State, there shall be attached to it all of the following:

(1) A certified copy of the resolution of the sponsoring university authorizing the incorporation of the authority.

(2) A certificate of the Secretary of State confirming that the name proposed for the authority is not identical to that of any other corporation organized under state law or so nearly similar thereto as to lead to confusion and uncertainty.

(d) Upon the filing for record of the articles of incorporation and the documents required by subsection (c) with the Secretary of State, the authority shall come into existence and shall constitute a public corporation under the name set forth in its articles of incorporation. The Secretary of State shall issue a certificate of incorporation to the authority and shall record the articles of incorporation in an appropriate book in his or her office.
Ala. Code § 16-47-240 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 47 / Section 16-47-240
Section 16-47-240 Alabama Rural Hospital Resource Center
Status: in_force

(a) The University of Alabama at Birmingham shall establish the Alabama Rural Hospital Resource Center.

(b) The purpose of the resource center is to facilitate access to high quality care for rural Alabamians and improve their health by increasing the viability and capabilities of eligible hospitals at no or minimal cost to those hospitals.

(c) For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(1) ELIGIBLE HOSPITAL. A nonprofit or public rural hospital.

(2) RESOURCE CENTER. The Rural Hospital Resource Center of the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

(3) RURAL. Located in one of the following:

a. An area designated as a shortage area as defined in 42 C.F.R. § 491.5(c) and (d); or

b. A rural area as defined by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy.

(d) The resource center shall do all of the following:

(1) Hire necessary staff that is inclusive and reflects the racial, gender, geographic, urban, rural, and economic diversity of the state.

(2) Annually submit a report to the Legislature, State Finance Director, and Medicaid Commissioner regarding the effectiveness of the resource center. The report shall include all of the following:

a. The financial improvement of participating hospitals.

b. Satisfaction survey results from the management team and board of directors of each participating hospital.

c. Improvements in the quality of participating hospitals.

d. Improvements in access to care.

e. Improvements in health status.

(3) Establish a rural administrative residency program by working with the Graduate Program in Health Administration of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and pursuing funding for administrative residents who wish to work in rural health care.

(e) The resource center may provide support to participating eligible hospitals in all of the following areas:

(1) Compliance.

(2) Coding.

(3) Purchasing and supply chain.

(4) Quality.

(5) Strategic planning.

(6) Provider recruitment.

(7) Cost report.

(8) Insurance.

(9) Any other area that furthers the purpose of the resource center.

(f) The obligations imposed by this section shall not be implemented within the University of Alabama at Birmingham until formally approved by the University of Alabama at Birmingham and sufficient funds for the purposes set forth in this section are provided through the Governor or appropriated by the Legislature, and thereafter shall only be implemented to the extent that funds are appropriated.
Ala. Code § 16-13A-11 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 13A / Section 16-13A-11
Section 16-13A-11 Liability
Status: in_force

No individual member of a local board of education shall be held financially liable for misappropriation of funds of the local board of education unless the individual acts willfully, maliciously, fraudulently, in bad faith beyond his or her authority, or pursuant to a mistaken interpretation of the law.
Ala. Code § 16-1B-5 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 1B / Section 16-1B-5
Section 16-1B-5 Annual Written Anonymous Survey of Compliance
Status: in_force

(a) Each certificated staff member employed by the local board education shall complete an annual written anonymous survey regarding the implementation of the wireless communication device policy and to measure uniform compliance within the school.

(b) On or before October 1, 2025, the State Department of Education shall develop a survey to assess the levels of participation and compliance with the wireless communication device policy. On or before June 1 of each subsequent year, the annual survey results shall be submitted by the principal to the local superintendent of education, local board of education, and the State Board of Education for publication on the website of the State Department of Education.
Ala. Code § 16-13-234 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 13 / Section 16-13-234
Section 16-13-234 Allocation of Funds
Status: in_force

(a) In making apportionment of the Public School Fund held by the state, to the local boards of education, the State Superintendent of Education shall first set apart and distribute to the schools of each township the amount due from the state thereto as interest on its sixteenth section fund, or other trust fund held by the state.

(b) It is the intent of the Legislature to insure that no local board of education receive less state funds per pupil than it received in fiscal year 1994-95. For this reason the Foundation Program for each local board of education shall be supplemented, if necessary, by a hold harmless allowance. The base amount of each local board’s hold harmless allowance calculation is the 1994-95 program cost as defined herein. The 1994-95 program cost of each local board of education was determined by using the first forty scholastic days of average daily membership from 1993-94. Beginning with the fiscal year 1995-96, the hold harmless allowance calculation shall be the current year Foundation Program state allocation, including allocated Public Education Employees’ Health Insurance Plan reserves, less the fiscal year 1994-95 program cost as defined herein. The fiscal year 1994-95 program cost is defined as including the local boards of education allocations for kindergarten through grade twelve plus fringe benefits including Public Education Employees’ Health Insurance Plan reserves and the Public School Fund less the transportation allowance.

(c) Beginning with the fiscal year 1995-96, the first cost to the Public School Fund, after complying with the provisions of subsection (a), shall be the hold harmless allowance. The hold harmless calculation shall continue until no local board of education receives less funds per pupil than it received in fiscal year 1994-95. However, this hold harmless allowance shall terminate not later than September 30, 2002.

(d) It is the intent of the Legislature that funds shall be provided to local boards of education in addition to Foundation Program funds to provide continuing funding to provide for soundness and adequacy of public school facilities in Alabama. To that end the remainder of the Public School Fund after deducting the costs pursuant to subsection (a) shall be available to the local boards of education for capital outlay, including the planning, construction, reconstruction, enlargement, improvement, repair or renovation of public school facilities, for the purchase of land for public school facilities, for debt payments related to public school facilities, for insuring public school facilities, and for the acquisition and/or purchase of education technology and equipment.

(e) It is the intent of the Legislature that the distribution of capital funds for the purpose of capital purchases from the Public School Fund be made to all school systems, require a variable matching with local funds based on yield per mill per average daily membership of district property tax, and guarantee the same amount per student in each system for capital purchases from the total of state and matching local funds. The State Superintendent of Education shall allocate the available funds pursuant to the rules adopted by the State Board of Education. Also, to receive funds from this appropriation, the local board of education must develop a comprehensive, long range capital plan addressing the facility, educational technology and equipment needs of the local board of education, pursuant to the rules adopted by the State Board of Education. The goal of this program is to have each local board of education complete its comprehensive, long range capital plan and begin making satisfactory progress in implementing the plan for providing adequate public school facilities for all students.

(f) In addition to rules adopted by the State Board of Education and used by the State Superintendent of Education in the distribution of said funds, it is the intent of the Legislature to impose the following. For fiscal year 1996 a school system may elect to use up to 100 percent of its matched capital purchase funds for serving at-risk students as defined by the State Board of Education or a legislative approved definition. For fiscal year 1997 a school system may elect to use up to 75 percent, in fiscal year 1998 up to 50 percent, and in fiscal year 1999 up to 25 percent. It is the intent of the Legislature that beginning in fiscal year 2000, all public school funds must be used for capital purchases as specified in subsection (e) above. School systems electing to expend their allocations of capital purchase funds on at-risk student programs pursuant to this subsection shall expend those funds for effective programs and tutorial assistance programs that include but shall not be limited to after school, Saturday, and/or summer school; provided, that such programs shall be outside of the normal day school.
Ala. Code § 16-33B-8 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 33B / Section 16-33B-8
Section 16-33B-8 Legal Counsel for Program
Status: in_force

The Attorney General or his agent shall act as legal counsel to ACHE for the Alabama Guaranteed Student Loan Program. When the collection of loans on which ACHE has met its guarantee obligation requires legal action outside the State of Alabama, ACHE, upon recommendation of the Attorney General, may employ private, out-of-state counsel and expend its own funds to pay for this service.
Ala. Code § 16-36-1 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 36 / Section 16-36-1
Section 16-36-1 State Textbook Committee - Creation; Duties Generally
Status: reserved

Repealed by Act 98-320, §13 effective July 1, 1998.
Ala. Code § 16-61-1 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 61 / Section 16-61-1
Section 16-61-1 Legislative Intent
Status: in_force

The Legislature recognizes that the following public universities in Alabama which grant baccalaureate degrees and are independently accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools - the University of Alabama in Huntsville, the University of Alabama in Birmingham, the University of Alabama, Auburn University, Auburn University at Montgomery, Jacksonville State University, Troy State University, Troy State University in Montgomery, Troy State University in Dothan, the University of North Alabama, the University of South Alabama, Livingston University, the University of Montevallo, Alabama State University, Athens State College, and Alabama A & M University - would be greatly strengthened by the addition of distinguished scholars serving as resident faculty members.

It further recognizes that support from sources other than state appropriations, student fees, federal funds, research grants, and any interest earned thereon will help strengthen the commitment of citizens and organizations in promoting excellence in these state universities. It is therefore the intent of the Legislature to establish a trust fund to provide the opportunity to each of these institutions to receive grants from the trust fund to create endowments for selected eminent scholars to occupy chairs within the university’s faculty.
Ala. Code § 16-10-11 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 10 / Section 16-10-11
Section 16-10-11 Use of Schoolhouse for Civic Purposes
Status: in_force

The board of school trustees shall have the power to authorize the use of the schoolhouse for such civic, social, recreational and community gatherings as in its opinion do not interfere with the principal use of the said school building or property. It shall be the duty of the person or persons making application for the use of the schoolhouse for a public meeting place to see that the said schoolhouse after said meeting is in as clean a condition as it was before said meeting, and in case of failure upon the part of said person or persons to whom permission has been granted to hold the meetings to place said school after said meeting in as clean a condition as it was when said schoolhouse was turned over to said person or persons for said meeting, or the failure of the person or persons to respond in damages to any injury to the property, the ordinary wear and tear excepted, the board of school trustees shall refuse all further applications for the use of such schoolhouse by the same parties.
Ala. Code § 16-13B-2.1 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 13B / Section 16-13B-2.1
Section 16-13B-2.1 Purpose of Goods or Services Related to the Child Nutrition Program During Certain Emergencies or Unanticipated Events
Status: in_force

(a)(1) During an emergency or unanticipated event affecting public health or safety or causing supply chain disruptions, and upon the recommendation of the State Superintendent of Education and the approval of the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts, any city or county board of education that provides meals under the Child Nutrition Program of the Alabama State Department of Education may purchase goods or services related to the program without advertising or bidding as set forth in this chapter. To the extent possible, purchases made under this section shall be executed to include representation of minority-owned business enterprises.

(2) The recommendation by the State Superintendent of Education submitted for consideration under subdivision (1) shall contain a statement setting forth the specific facts regarding the basis and nature of the emergency or unanticipated event affecting public health or safety or causing supply chain disruptions necessitating the action and the geographical region or area to which the emergency or unanticipated event should be limited. Any approval to purchase goods or services under this section shall be limited to 60 days, during which time a contractual agreement for such purchases shall be entered into in compliance with the competitive bid law in this chapter.

(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a), a city or county board of education described in subsection (a), when practicable and to the extent possible, should comply with the advertising and bidding requirements provided in this chapter.

(c) A city or county board of education shall maintain accurate and fully itemized records of all expenditures made pursuant to this section.
Ala. Code § 16-5-52 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 5 / Section 16-5-52
Section 16-5-52 Definitions. (Amended by 2026-303)
Status: in_force

AMENDED BY ACT 2026-303, EFFECTIVE AUGUST 1, 2026. SEE ACT FOR REVISED LANGUAGE.

For the purposes of this article, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(1) APPROVED INSTITUTION. A state-supported institution of higher education or a private nonprofit institution of higher education that satisfies all of the following:

a. Is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

b. Is approved by the State Board of Education to prepare teachers of middle level or secondary math, science, or computer science.

c. Is eligible to receive Title IV federal student aid program funds.

d. Maintains its primary headquarters in Alabama.

(2) CHARTER SCHOOL. A form of public school. A teacher employed by a charter school accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is eligible to participate in the program. A teacher employed by a charter school is not eligible for the acute shortage area supplement provided in this article.

(3) COMMISSION. The Alabama Commission on Higher Education.

(4) ELIGIBLE APPLICANT. A person who satisfies the criteria set out in this article and is eligible under rules adopted by the commission.

(5) PROGRAM. The Alabama Math and Science Teacher Education Program created by this article and administered by the commission that provides loan repayments to a teacher with a valid Alabama professional educator certificate endorsed in math, science, or computer science who teaches math, science, or computer science courses for which the teacher is properly certified for three-fourths of the full-time teaching load in the Alabama public school system.

(6) SCIENCE. Biology, chemistry, physics, and general science.

(7) YEAR. A school year that shall be divided into fall and spring semesters. The term does not mean calendar, fiscal, or scholastic year.
Ala. Code § 16-26D-1 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 26D / Section 16-26D-1
Section 16-26D-1 Legislative Intent
Status: in_force

It is the intent of the Legislature to establish an independent, residential school for academically motivated and gifted Alabama students with educational opportunities and experiences in the rapidly growing fields of cyber technology and engineering and to assist teachers, administrators, and superintendents across the state in replicating cyber technology and engineering studies in their own schools.
Ala. Code § 16-60-216 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 60 / Section 16-60-216
Section 16-60-216 Board of Control
Status: reserved

Repealed by Act 2015-70 effective April 21, 2015.
Ala. Code § 16-27A-11 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 27A / Section 16-27A-11
Section 16-27A-11 Construction with Other Laws
Status: in_force

Adoption by a board of the procedures under this chapter and the enforcement of this chapter by a governing body shall not affect current procedure and prosecutions commenced by issuance of a uniform traffic ticket and complaint by a law enforcement officer or otherwise. The issuance of a notice of violation as authorized by this chapter shall be subordinate to the issuance of a uniform traffic ticket and complaint for the same action if issued by a sworn law enforcement officer, and issuance of a uniform traffic ticket and complaint for a school bus violation shall preclude issuance of a notice of violation as authorized by this chapter. In the event both a uniform traffic ticket and complaint and a notice of violation as authorized by this chapter are issued for the same action, the one issued by a sworn law enforcement officer pursuant to Section 32-5A-154, shall control and shall constitute a defense to the other.
Ala. Code § 16-8-26.1 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 8 / Section 16-8-26.1
Section 16-8-26.1 Personal Leave for Support Personnel; Funding
Status: reserved

Repealed by Acts 1997, No. 97-444, p. 751, §2, effective August 1, 1997.
Ala. Code § 16-39-9 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 39 / Section 16-39-9
Section 16-39-9 Reports on Exceptional Children
Status: in_force

The Alabama Boys Industrial School, Alabama State Training School for Girls, Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, Alabama state Department of Mental Health, State Crippled Children’s Service, the State Board of Health and the Department of Human Resources shall direct their field workers to review their case records on or before March 31 of each year and to report to the superintendent of each school board the names and other pertinent information for all persons who might, if certified by a specialist, be exceptional children in the school district and whose conditions in their opinion might require special education services.
Ala. Code § 16-8-13 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 8 / Section 16-8-13
Section 16-8-13 Consolidation of Schools - Authority
Status: in_force

The county board of education shall consolidate schools wherever in its judgment it is practicable and arrange, if necessary, for the transportation of pupils to and from such consolidated schools, subject to the provisions of this title.
Ala. Code § 16-47-222 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 47 / Section 16-47-222
Section 16-47-222 Applications and Awards; Repayment of Loans
Status: in_force

(a) The board shall establish and award, according to the judgment of the board, loans to provide for the training of qualified applicants for admission or students in any accredited master’s degree program for physician assistant studies at a medical school or college. The board may permit eligible people to apply for a loan under the Alabama Physician’s Assistants Service Program in any scholastic year and for any previously completed scholastic year. The board’s awarding of loans shall be done after consultation with the physician’s assistant advisory committee of the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners.

(b) The board may award to an eligible person a loan or loans totaling in value as much as the average in-state tuition and required fees charged at public institutions in Alabama for completing on time a master’s degree program for physician assistant studies. But a loan or loans may be awarded only to people who have signed contracts with the board to work following graduation in full-time clinical practice for three years as licensed physician’s assistants in areas of critical need.

A person who has signed such a contract with the board may postpone choosing an area of critical need in which to work to a time set by the board.

(c) Each participant’s loan or loans shall be repaid by the participant fulfilling the terms of the contract he or she signed with the board for work in an area of critical need for three years.

(d) The board shall make a careful and thorough investigation of the ability, character, and qualifications of each applicant, and award a loan or loans according to the judgment of the board and the requirements of this article.

(e) A participant, subject to approval by the board, may change the area of critical need where he or she will work to repay loans under this program, but in no case shall the participant work in full-time practice for less than three years in a new area of critical need.
Ala. Code § 16-25-10.6 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 25 / Section 16-25-10.6
Section 16-25-10.6 Elected Superintendent of Education; Cost of Coverage; Purchase of Prior Service Credit
Status: in_force

Any person now serving as an elected superintendent of education in this state may become a member of the Teachers’ Retirement System of Alabama within 90 days after the ratification of an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama 1901 allowing elected superintendents of education to participate in the Teachers’ Retirement System, subject to such rules and regulations as may be promulgated by the Board of Control of said system. Any person hereafter elected to serve as superintendent of education shall be deemed to be a “teacher” as defined in Section 16-25-1 and shall be entitled to the benefits thereof. The employer cost for coverage of such elected superintendents shall be paid as for other school employees. Provided further, that such elected superintendents shall be entitled to purchase prior service credit as a teacher or superintendent in such system under such rules, regulations and provisions of law that govern the purchase of such prior service credit, from time to time, by teachers.
Ala. Code § 16-2-7 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 2 / Section 16-2-7
Section 16-2-7 Appointment, Compensation, Benefits, Etc., of Assistant State Superintendents of Education and Division Directors in State Department of Education; Filling of Vacancies
Status: in_force

(a) The positions of assistant state superintendents of education and of division directors in the State Department of Education existing on August 23, 1976, shall continue to be covered by the Alabama Merit System law in all matters except the number of positions and the method of fixing the compensation for the performance of the duties of such offices. So long as the incumbents of any such offices existing on August 23, 1976, continue to serve in such positions, they shall be entitled to retain all benefits and immunities to which they are entitled under the Merit System law and shall continue to be entitled to participate in the Teachers’ Retirement System upon the same terms and under the same conditions as previously applied to them; provided, that the State Board of Education may determine the salaries of such incumbents.

(b) Upon the vacation of any of the offices designated in subsection (a) of this section by any such incumbents, such positions shall cease to be covered by the Merit System law, and persons to fill such positions thereafter shall be appointed and compensated without regard to said Merit System law and shall serve at the pleasure of the State Board of Education; provided, however, that any such person shall be entitled to all the benefits accruing to state employees who are subject to the Merit System law, including the right to accumulate leave and to participate in the Teachers’ Retirement System upon the same terms and under the same conditions as other employees of the State Department of Education.

(c) The State Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the State Superintendent of Education, shall prescribe the amount of the annual salaries for the assistant state superintendents of education and for the directors of each of the several divisions in the State Department of Education, and the salaries so prescribed shall apply whether such employees are incumbents of such positions on August 23, 1976, or are thereafter employed in such positions. In no case may the salary of a director or assistant superintendent be as great as or greater than that of the State Superintendent of Education.

(d) Upon the occurrence of a vacancy in any of the positions designated in subsection (a) of this section or upon the establishment of new positions, the State Superintendent of Education, with the approval of the State Board of Education, shall recruit and employ a person to fill such position. The employment of such person shall not be subject to nor governed by the state Merit System law. Any person so employed shall serve at the pleasure of the State Board of Education and the State Superintendent of Education. The State Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the State Superintendent of Education, may enter into contracts of employment with any such employee, but no such contract shall provide for the employment of such person after the expiration of the term of office of the Superintendent of Education making the recommendation.
Ala. Code § 16-41-3 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 41 / Section 16-41-3
Section 16-41-3 Purpose; Legislative Intent
Status: in_force

The purpose of this chapter is to insure the development of a comprehensive drug abuse education program for all children and youth in grades one through 12. It is the legislative intent that this program shall teach the adverse and dangerous effects on the human mind and body of drugs and that such instruction shall be intensive and that it shall be given immediate emphasis, beginning with the 1971-72 school year. It is further the intent of the Legislature that the voluntary services of persons from the professions of clergy, education, medicine, law enforcement, social services and such other professionally and occupationally qualified individuals as can make a contribution to this program be utilized in its implementation so that the highest possible degree of expertise may be brought to bear.
Ala. Code § 16-51-11 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 51 / Section 16-51-11
Section 16-51-11 Grant or Gift Not to Fail for Informality; Default, Etc., of Trustees Not to Work Forfeiture
Status: in_force

No grant or gift, by will or otherwise, shall fail on account of any misnomer or informality when the intent of the grantor or donor can be arrived at; nor shall any default, malfeasance or misfeasance or nonuser on the part of the trustees, or other officers or agents of such corporation, work a forfeiture of any of its rights, privileges, powers or franchises.
Ala. Code § 16-5-53 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 5 / Section 16-5-53
Section 16-5-53 Administration of Program; Rulemaking Authority. (Amended by 2026-303)
Status: in_force

AMENDED BY ACT 2026-303, EFFECTIVE AUGUST 1, 2026. SEE ACT FOR REVISED LANGUAGE.

The Alabama Math and Science Teacher Education Program shall be administered by the commission, which may adopt any rules necessary for the administration of the program.
Ala. Code § 16-3-17.3 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 3 / Section 16-3-17.3
Section 16-3-17.3 Flexible School Terms
Status: in_force

It is the intent of the Legislature that local school systems be permitted to develop flexible school terms extending over the course of the 12 month calendar year. School systems desiring to use flexible school terms may utilize such scheduling to develop tutorial programs or innovative programs for at-risk students or students deemed academically deficient and to relieve overcrowded classroom conditions. Local school systems desiring to develop flexible school terms shall, upon approval of the local board of education, submit a plan to the State Superintendent of Education and upon his recommendation and approval by the State Board of Education, the plan shall be adopted. No provision of The Alabama Education Improvement Act of 1991 (Acts 1991, No. 91-323), shall be interpreted to require personnel employed in local school systems to work longer than their current contract provides. School personnel may work extended contract periods provided the personnel are willing and are paid commensurate with the system’s salary schedule.
Ala. Code § 16-39-30 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 39 / Section 16-39-30
Section 16-39-30 Establishment of Fund; Department of Education to Administer
Status: in_force

There is hereby established the Catastrophic Trust Fund for Special Education to be titled the Catastrophic Trust Fund for Special Education Act, to be administered by the State Department of Education for the purpose of assisting local education agencies providing special education and related services for children with disabilities in catastrophic cases.
Ala. Code § 16-47-51 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 47 / Section 16-47-51
Section 16-47-51 Dentists Advisory Board
Status: in_force

There is hereby created and established a board to be known as the Dentists Advisory Board, consisting of five dentists who shall be members in good standing of the State Dental Association of Alabama and shall reside in different sections of the State of Alabama. The duties of the members of said board shall be to meet with the Alabama Building Commission upon its call for the purpose of giving information and advice to the said Alabama Building Commission as to proper location, establishment, buildings and equipment of said dental school, during the period of time occupied by the Alabama Building Commission in locating, establishing, building and equipping said dental school, and to meet with the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama, or with three or more members of said board of trustees at such times and places as may be mutually agreed upon, due notice of said meetings to be given by the board of trustees, for the purpose of giving information and advice to the trustees as to the proper maintenance and operation of the dental school. The first five members of the Dentists Advisory Board shall be appointed by the Governor: One for a term of one year, one for a term of two years, one for a term of three years, one for a term of four years and one for a term of five years; and thereafter all members of said board shall be elected by the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama on nominations made by the State Dental Association or its authorized agents, for five-year terms each. Vacancies shall be filled likewise by the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama, and the appointees shall serve for the unexpired terms. The members of said advisory board shall serve without pay, but shall be reimbursed for their actual expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties, to be paid in the same manner as the expenses of the university trustees are paid. The dean of the school of dentistry shall be an ex officio member of the Dentists Advisory Board and shall sit with it in its deliberations.
Ala. Code § 16-22-13.8 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 22 / Section 16-22-13.8
Section 16-22-13.8 Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Adjustments
Status: in_force

(a) Pay increases, FY 2018-2019. The State Budget Officer shall allocate to the State Board of Education, the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, the Board of Youth Services School District, the Board of Directors of the Alabama School of Fine Arts, and the Board of Trustees of the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science and for disbursement to the employees thereof funds based on the criteria established in this section. It is not the intent of this section to make appropriations, but the appropriations required by this section shall be made in the annual Education Trust Fund budget act for the designated fiscal year.

(1) CERTIFICATED PERSONNEL (K-12). For the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2018, and each year thereafter, each certificated employee at all city and county school systems and the teachers at the Department of Youth Services School District shall receive a two and one-half percent salary increase. Each step and cell on the State Minimum Salary Schedule contained in the annual budget act for the public schools shall be increased by the amounts below for fiscal year 2018-2019, the State Minimum Salary Schedule shall reflect the following percentage increase:

Step Years of Experience Increase 1 Less than 3 2.50% 2 3 but less than 6 2.50% 3 6 but less than 9 2.50% 4 9 but less than 12 2.50% 5 12 but less than 15 2.50% 6 15 but less than 18 2.50% 7 18 but less than 21 2.50% 8 21 or greater 2.50% 9 24 but less than 27 2.50% 10 27 or more 2.50%

All certificated employees, including the Adult Basic Education and Science in Motion employees, shall be guaranteed pay increases in the amounts indicated above for their years of experience and degrees earned and the corresponding pay increases shall be reflected in the appropriate local salary schedule and paid to each certificated employee. The provisions and requirements of this section shall be in addition to the provisions of Section 16-13-231.1, relating to the State Minimum Salary Schedule. Each certificated employee shall be properly placed on the local salary schedule according to degree earned and years of public education service (either in-state or out-of-state), which shall be not less than the amounts appropriated for the State Minimum Salary Schedule. The employee shall be paid according to degree earned and length of public education experience. The pay increase shall be given to each person employed for the 2018-2019 fiscal year in addition to any state or local step increase to which the employee is otherwise entitled. The local board of education shall transmit to the State Department of Education the appropriate notice of the earned advanced degree for each employee in a timely fashion; thereafter, the employee shall be paid for the advanced degree as soon as the degree is certified to the State Department of Education as being earned.

(2) EDUCATION SUPPORT PERSONNEL (K-12). A two and one-half percent pay increase, beginning with the fiscal year 2018-2019, shall be paid to each public education support worker and adult bus driver, including Adult Basic Education and Science in Motion personnel, employed for the 2018-2019 fiscal year in addition to the salary received during the 2017-2018 fiscal year, except employees covered under the state’s Merit System at the Department of Youth Services District. Each governing body or authority shall establish and maintain a salary schedule for each class and type of employee and each step of each salary schedule shall be increased to reflect a two and one-half percent pay increase beginning with fiscal year 2018-2019, which shall be given to the person employed full-time for the 2018-2019 fiscal year and each year employed full-time thereafter. The base rate of pay for part-time support employees shall be increased by two and one-half percent beginning with fiscal year 2018-2019. A separate local salary schedule shall be established and maintained for each specific job performed.

(3) AIDB. For the fiscal year 2018-2019, employees at the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind shall receive a pay increase which shall be in excess of their salaries received during the 2017-2018 fiscal year. The increase shall be as follows:

a. Certificated. The salary schedule for certificated employees shall be revised to reflect at least the following percentage increase beginning with the fiscal year 2018-2019:

Step Years of Experience Increase 1 Less than 3 2.50% 2 3 but less than 6 2.50% 3 6 but less than 9 2.50% 4 9 but less than 12 2.50% 5 12 but less than 15 2.50% 6 15 but less than 18 2.50% 7 18 but less than 21 2.50% 8 21 or greater 2.50% 9 24 but less than 27 2.50% 10 27 or more 2.50%

b. Education Support Personnel (K-12). A two and one-half percent pay increase, beginning with the 2018-2019 fiscal year, shall be given to each support worker employed full-time by the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind. A separate local salary schedule shall be established and maintained for each specific job performed. The pay increase in this section shall be incorporated into the support employees’ salary schedules. The base rate of pay for part-time support employees shall be increased by two and one-half percent for the 2018-2019 fiscal year.

c. Miscellaneous Requirements. The AIDB board shall establish and maintain a salary schedule for each class and type of employee and each step of each salary schedule for fiscal year 2018-2019 shall be increased to reflect the pay increase above to be given to each person employed for the 2018-2019 fiscal year and each year employed thereafter. The pay increase contained in this subsection shall be paid to each employee.

(4) TWO-YEAR POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTIONS. The Board of Trustees of the Community College System shall revise all salary schedules of the two-year postsecondary institutions to reflect an increase of two and one-half percent for the 2018-2019 fiscal year. The pay increase shall be given to each person employed in addition to any step increase to which the employee is otherwise entitled. The Postsecondary Education Department shall take proper steps to ensure that employees on all salary schedules are given full credit for prior work experience in the public schools and colleges, and shall take care to ensure proper placements on the salary schedules. Placement on the revised salary schedules shall be in accordance with the employee’s length of service in public education. No pay increase shall be given to any two-year postsecondary employee in excess of two and one-half percent, except as specifically provided in this section.

(5) MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS. The following provisions are hereby established:

a. Fiscal Year. All salaries and salary increases which are established by the State Board of Education shall be paid in full to each person employed before the end of the applicable fiscal year as defined in Section 16-1-1.

b. Extended Work. Public K-12 school employees on contracts which extend beyond 187 days, or the hourly equivalent thereof, shall be given a pro rata salary increment for each or partial day of work extending beyond 187 days.

c. Local Increment. Any cost-of-living adjustment and/or increase on the State Minimum Salary Schedule for teachers as provided in this section shall be exclusive of any local pay increase granted or due to teachers under provisions of any local salary schedule. Any cost-of-living adjustment and/or pay increase required by this section for public school support personnel shall be in addition to any pay increase due or granted to the employee under provisions of any local salary schedules. The pay increase provisions of this section shall not apply to any salary supplements granted by local boards of education, bonuses earned for certification by the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards, or the federal portion of the salary paid to a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) instructor employed by a local school board.

d. Community Education. Each county and city board of education shall have the option to exclude from the provisions of this section any part-time employees of community education or school-sponsored child care or child enrichment program which is supplemental to the state-required educational program.

e. Local Chief Executive Officers. The pay increase provisions of this section shall not apply to superintendents of education of any school system or institution. Any pay increase given to the superintendent shall be by majority recorded vote of the governing body or authority.

(b) The pay increase granted in this section shall begin in fiscal year 2018-2019 and continue in subsequent years. Nothing in this section shall authorize additional pay increases in subsequent years.
Ala. Code § 16-46-5 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 46 / Section 16-46-5
Section 16-46-5 License for Operation of Schools; Fees; Financial Stability
Status: in_force

(a) No private postsecondary institution, except those enumerated in Section 16-46-3, shall operate within this state unless the private postsecondary institution first secures a license from the Department of Postsecondary Education, regardless of whether the private postsecondary institution enrolls Alabama students or has a physical presence within the State of Alabama. Procedures for licensing and bonding of private postsecondary institutions operating courses in separate locations shall be established in the rules and regulations pursuant to Section 16-46-7.

(b) For all applicable private postsecondary schools or institutions that apply for a license and that meet the criteria identified in this section, the Department of Postsecondary Education shall issue a license to be publicly displayed on the premises where the private postsecondary institution operates.

(c) The application for a license for a private postsecondary institution shall be made on forms furnished by the Department of Postsecondary Education.

(d) The State Board of Education shall promulgate a schedule of licensing fees, which may be revised from time to time upon reasonable notice at the discretion of the board. All licensing fees collected from private postsecondary institutions shall be deposited in the State Treasury to the credit of the private school licensing section in the Department of Postsecondary Education.

(e) All private postsecondary institutions, except those enumerated in Section 16-46-3, shall be required to establish financial stability by surety acceptable to the Department of Postsecondary Education in the penal sum of not more than twenty thousand dollars ($20,000). The sum required to provide prepaid tuition liability shall be established by the Department of Postsecondary Education by appropriate regulation pursuant to Section 16-46-7. Financial stability for separate locations shall be provided through the principal base of operations. Such surety shall be continuous and shall be conditioned to provide indemnification to any student suffering loss as a result of any fraud or misrepresentation used in procuring his or her enrollment in and/or administering a course covered by this chapter for the purpose of assuring due and faithful performance of agreements or contracts with students.

(f) A license under this chapter shall be valid for two years from the date on which it was issued.

(g) Regardless of the number of years that a surety is in force, the aggregate liability thereon shall in no event exceed the penal sum of the surety accepted by the Department of Postsecondary Education. The surety may cancel the same upon giving 30 days’ notice in writing to the Department of Postsecondary Education, and thereafter shall be relieved of liability for any breach of condition occurring after the effective date of the cancellation.

(h) Application for a license shall also be accompanied by a financial statement acceptable to the Department of Postsecondary Education and a copy of the current catalog, brochure, or bulletin of the private postsecondary institution, which shall include all of the following:

(1) Identifying data such as volume number, date, and publication.

(2) Name, address, and telephone number of the private postsecondary institution and its governing body, officials, and faculty.

(3) A clear and concise statement of the objectives of the training given by the school.

(4) The exact manner in which the stated objectives are to be attained.

(5) A tuition and refund policy which is in compliance with the appropriate regulation pursuant to Section 16-46-7.

(6) A grievance policy which directs aggrieved students to first attempt to resolve complaints through the appropriate officials of the private postsecondary institution. Student grievances not resolved by the private postsecondary institution shall be referred to the Department of Postsecondary Education.

(7) Such other reasonable information as the Department of Postsecondary Education may impose.

(i) Upon receipt of the required information, the Department of Postsecondary Education may issue a license provided the institution is complying with all of the following standards:

(1) The courses, curriculum, and instructions of the private postsecondary institution are consistent, in quality and content, with recognized educational standards as determined by the Department of Postsecondary Education.

(2) There is available to the private postsecondary institution adequate space, equipment, instructional material, and instructor personnel to provide training of good quality.

(3) Adequate records as determined by the Department of Postsecondary Education are kept to show attendance and student progress. Records shall be available upon request of the student to be furnished prospective employers and other interested parties.

(4) The private postsecondary institution is financially sound and capable of fulfilling its commitments for training.

(5) Private postsecondary institutions or courses domiciled outside Alabama shall designate a state agent who is a resident of this state to service all complaints against the institution.

(6) A student enrollment agreement or contract shall be utilized to set forth clearly all conditions for enrollment in and completion of courses of instruction, itemized course cost, terms of payment, and other conditions the private postsecondary institution may desire to establish. Conditions for forced withdrawal for academic or disciplinary reasons shall be stated. Contracts establishing installment payments with interest charges shall be in compliance with Alabama statutes regarding lending and usury and shall be certified by the Alabama State Banking Department.

(7) The private postsecondary institution shall comply with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations.

(j) Any license applied for pursuant to this section shall be granted, deferred, or denied within 30 days of the receipt of the application therefor by the Department of Postsecondary Education.

(k) The Department of Postsecondary Education may invoke negative actions against any license issued if the holder of the license solicits or enrolls students or administers instructions through fraud, deception, or misrepresentation. Negative actions shall include probation, suspension, and/or revocation.

(l) The fact that a surety is in force pursuant to this section shall not limit nor impair any right of recovery otherwise available under law, nor shall the amount of such surety be relevant in determining the amount of damages or other relief to which any plaintiff may be entitled.

(m) No recovery against any student shall be had on any contract if such private postsecondary institution was not the holder of a license as required by this section at the time that the institution or its representative negotiated the contract for or sold such course.

(n) Private postsecondary institutions which undergo transfer of ownership shall be reviewed to determine that minimum standards remain in effect. The license may not be transferred to new ownership. Financial stability of the new ownership shall be established.

(o) The issuance of a license pursuant to this section shall represent authority to operate an educational institution in Alabama. Licensure may not be advertised as an endorsement or recommendation, but it implies compliance with the laws of Alabama. Advertising may indicate only that the private postsecondary institution is licensed by the state.
Ala. Code § 16-1-41.1 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 1 / Section 16-1-41.1
Section 16-1-41.1 School Board Governance Improvement
Status: in_force

(a) This section shall be known and may be cited as the School Board Governance Improvement Act of 2012.

(b) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(1) That the purpose of this section is to enhance the effectiveness of public education governance in Alabama through the establishment of training requirements, boardsmanship standards, and accountability measures that are designed to promote informed deliberations and decisions, to revise the qualifications for serving as a member of a local board of education, to provide for a code of conduct for each member of a local board of education in order to better ensure that any decision or action of a local board of education is based on the interests of students or the system, and to foster the development and implementation of organizational practices that are designed to promote broad support of the public schools.

(2) A local board of education is the legally constituted body that governs a local school system, promotes student learning, and prepares students to be college and career ready. A local school board, and not individual board members, is entrusted with this responsibility. To function effectively, board members, both individually and collectively, must operate with the highest degree of accountability to these responsibilities and their fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the local school system, without self-interest. A board member, as an individual, shall satisfy minimum qualifications to serve, shall comply with a code of conduct, and shall be required to participate in orientation and ongoing training. To meet the goal of comprehensive board member education and proficiency, governance standards should be clearly reflected in board member training with a focus on roles and responsibilities, student and school performance standards, and the delineation of each member’s role as a public official holding public trust.

(c) For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(1) BOARDSMANSHIP. The effective discharge of duties as a member of a local board of education in keeping with the highest standards of stewardship and principles of public service as provided in this section.

(2) LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION. A city or county board of education whether elected or appointed.

(d)(1) In conjunction with and as a precondition to the installation of any elected or appointed member of a local board of education, and in addition to all other requirements imposed by law, prospective members shall be required for each term of office to affirm publicly and in writing all of the following principles of educational governance:

a. That each decision, action, and vote taken or made as a member of a local board of education shall be based solely on the needs and interests of students or the system.

b. That no decision, action, or vote shall be taken or made to serve or promote the personal, political, or pecuniary interests of the member.

c. That each decision, action, and vote shall be based on the interests of the school system as a whole.

d. That the views of all members of the local board of education and of the local superintendent of education shall be considered before making a decision or taking an action on any measure or proposal before the local board of education.

e. That, except to the extent otherwise provided by law, each member of a local board of education shall take formal action upon the written recommendation of and in consultation with the local superintendent of education, and may not individually or jointly attempt to direct or corrupt the operations of the school system in a manner that is inconsistent with the discharge of the statutory functions and responsibilities of the local superintendent of education.

f. That each member of a local board of education shall actively promote public support for the school system and a sound statewide system of public education, and shall endorse ideas, initiatives, and programs that are designed to improve the quality of public education for all students.

g. That each member of a local board of education shall attend scheduled meetings and actively participate in school system functions, activities, and training programs that promote quality boardsmanship unless good cause is shown.

(2) In addition to those duties specifically enumerated in the Code of Alabama 1975, a local board of education shall have all of the following duties:

a. In concert with the local superintendent of education, to establish a vision for the school system by adopting goals that address student needs, advance student performance, and monitor implementation of policies and programs by reviewing data.

b. To adopt written policies and programs, upon the recommendation of the local superintendent of education, to further the educational goals of the system and respond to system needs.

c. To act on personnel recommendations submitted by the local superintendent of education in a timely manner, based on student needs and system finances, without regard to personal preferences or political interests.

d. In concert with the local superintendent of education, to consider and approve operating budgets for the system aligned with the goals and objectives of the local board of education.

e. To advocate for the needs, resources, and interests of public school students and refer stakeholders and constituents to the local superintendent of education so that these issues can be addressed by school system personnel.

f. These duties should not be construed to limit or change the duties of local boards of education as found in the Code of Alabama 1975.

(e) In order to further the implementation of sound principles of boardsmanship within and among the local boards of education in the state, the State Superintendent of Education shall develop continuing education and training programs for the members of the local boards of education to enhance the understanding of the role of each member in assuring the effective provision of educational services. The programs shall be developed in cooperation with the Alabama Association of School Boards pursuant to Section 16-1-6.

(f) Any member of a local board of education who fails to satisfy the standards of boardsmanship as provided in this section, or other statutory duty or obligation, under circumstances that constitute neglect of duty or willful misconduct, may be subject to the following sanctions:

(1) Formal censure or reprimand upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the local board of education on which he or she serves. No such action shall be taken unless the member, who is the subject of the proposed action, is provided at least 30 days’ advance written notice of the proposed action by the secretary of the local board of education. The notice shall be issued only upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the whole board of education, shall specify the reasons for the proposed action, and shall state that the member shall be afforded an opportunity to respond orally or in writing to the notice before the vote of the local board of education on the proposed action is taken.

(2) Upon the referral of a written complaint by a majority vote of the applicable local board of education, or when, in the judgment of the State Superintendent of Education, sufficient cause exists to do so, and subject to the conditions hereinafter specified, the State Superintendent may investigate serious and substantial allegations of neglect of duty, misconduct, or breach of duty on the part of any member or members of a local board of education. On the basis of the investigation, the State Superintendent of Education may either decline to pursue formal sanctions or issue a written notice to the board members whose conduct is in question, which notice shall specify the proposed imposition of any sanctions that are contemplated as a result of the investigation. The notice shall also describe with reasonable particularity the neglect of duty, misconduct, or other breach of legal duty upon which any proposed sanction is based. The board member shall have at least 30 days to show cause in person or in writing why he or she should not be subject to the proposed sanction or to otherwise object to the proposed sanction. Upon request, the board member shall be granted a hearing before the State Superintendent of Education, or his or her designee, for the purpose of contesting any proposed sanction.

(3) After the close of the investigation, review, and hearing authorized by this section, the State Superintendent of Education may recommend approval of any of the following sanctions to the State Board of Education:

a. A formal censure or reprimand of the board member.

b. For any board member who fails to meet mandated training and attendance requirements, the member shall be subject to disqualification from eligibility for future appointment, reappointment, or election to any local board of education in the state.

c. For a board member whose conduct is found by the State Superintendent of Education to constitute neglect of duty or willful misconduct, the member shall be subject to disqualification from eligibility for future appointment, reappointment, or election to any local board of education in the state.

(4) Nothing in this subsection shall be deemed to preclude a negotiated resolution of any action that may be proposed or initiated by the State Superintendent of Education under this section, provided that such resolution is suitably memorialized, executed, made a matter of public record, and is consistent with the purposes of this section.

(5) No sanction shall be imposed on the basis of the exercise of personal, political, or other rights of a board member that are protected by the United States Constitution or by any state or federal statute.

(6) No sanction by the State Superintendent of Education, other than as may be imposed by written agreement with the board member, shall be effective until it is approved by majority vote of the State Board of Education.

(g) The State Board of Education shall adopt a model code of conduct for members of local boards of education by January 1, 2013. Before April 1, 2013, each local board of education shall adopt a code of conduct that includes, at a minimum, the model code of conduct adopted by the State Board of Education. The State Superintendent of Education shall develop and issue regulations to implement the requirements of this section, including any regulations deemed necessary and appropriate to ensure that procedures to be followed in connection with the imposition of sanctions authorized under this section conform to applicable legal standards.

(h) This section is cumulative and in addition to any other provision of law governing the training, performance, and accountability of local boards of education and members of local boards of education in the State of Alabama.
Ala. Code § 16-44A-54 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 44A / Section 16-44A-54
Section 16-44A-54 Alabama Veterans Living Legacy Trust Fund
Status: in_force

On and after September 1, 2008, to ensure accountability for receiving and administering public funds, the public funds provided for by Section 16-44A-55, or by any future act, for the support of the Veterans Living Legacy, are appropriated to and shall be administered by the trust in accordance with the laws governing the trust, and shall be placed and accounted for in a separate, segregated, non-reverting and non-lapsing fund account to be designated the Alabama Veterans Living Legacy Trust Fund, herein fund. The expenditures of these public funds shall be subject to the competitive bid law and subject to the general audit and reporting requirements found in Article 2. A copy of such audit shall be provided to the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts, which is also authorized to audit the fund. Expenditures may be made only for public purposes related to acquisition, financing, equipping, operating, promoting, maintaining, staffing, and administering property, facilities, and programs of the Veterans Living Legacy, pursuant to the master plan in Section 16-44A-53.
Ala. Code § 16-60-87 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 60 / Section 16-60-87
Section 16-60-87 Powers of Authority
Status: in_force

The authority shall have the following powers:

(1) To have succession by its corporate name until dissolved as hereinafter provided;

(2) To sue and be sued and to prosecute and defend in any court having jurisdiction of the subject matter and of the parties thereto;

(3) To have and to use a corporate seal and to alter the seal at pleasure;

(4) To establish a fiscal year;

(5) To provide for acquiring and improving sites for additional trade schools and junior colleges, constructing, acquiring, reconstructing, improving and altering buildings therefor and purchasing, acquiring and installing the original equipment thereof, and to make capital improvements to existing trade schools and at institutions of higher learning heretofore or hereafter established;

(6) To anticipate by the issuance of its bonds the receipt of the revenues herein appropriated and pledged;

(7) As security for the payment of the principal of and interest on its bonds, to pledge the proceeds of the appropriations and pledges herein provided for; and

(8) To appoint and employ such attorneys and agents as the business of the authority may require.
Ala. Code § 16-22-16.2 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 22 / Section 16-22-16.2
Section 16-22-16.2 Mental Health Service Coordinator Employed by Each Local Board of Education and Independent School System; Mental Health Services
Status: in_force

(a) Subject to appropriations by the Legislature, commencing with the 2023-2024 school year, each local board of education in the state shall employ a mental health service coordinator. The coordinator shall be responsible for coordinating student mental health services throughout the local school system.

(b) An individual hired as a coordinator shall possess at least one of the following qualifications:

(1) Have a bachelor’s degree in social work.

(2) Satisfy State Department of Education qualifications for a school counselor.

(3) Satisfy State Department of Education qualifications for a school nurse.

(4) Have professional mental health experience, or have been licensed in a mental health occupation including, but not limited to, licensure as a licensed professional counselor or marriage and family therapist.

(5) Other qualifications as determined by the Alabama Department of Mental Health and the State Department of Education.

(c) Within one year after being hired as a mental health service coordinator, an individual shall earn a school-based mental health certificate by successfully completing a certification program developed by the Alabama Department of Mental Health.

(d) On or before the last day of the 2021 fiscal year, and as requested thereafter, each local board of education shall complete and submit to the Alabama Department of Mental Health a needs assessment and resource map for the schools under the jurisdiction of the board. The assessment shall document the status of mental health for the entire school system and allow the local board of education to engage in a quality improvement process to improve the provision of mental health resources to students within the school system.

(e) The Alabama Department of Mental Health and the State Department of Education may adopt rules and policies as necessary for implementation of this section.

(f) The administration of this section shall be subject to appropriations made by the Legislature.

(g) As used in this section, the term “local board of education” and “school system” shall include the schools or school systems provided by Chapter 1 of Title 21; Chapters 26A, 26B, and 26D of this title; and Article 4 of Chapter 1 of Title 44.

(h)(1) For the purposes of this section: (i) “mental health services” includes services, treatment, surveys, or assessments relating to mental health, including, but not limited to, guidance counseling and any programming offered by an employee or independent contractor of a local board of education relating to mental health, suicide counseling, or bullying counseling; (ii) “parent” includes a student’s parent or legal guardian, as applicable; and (iii) “imminent threat” means a known or foreseeable danger that could occur in the immediate or near future.

(2)a. Except as provided in paragraph b., no student of a public K-12 school under 16 years of age may be allowed to participate in ongoing school counseling services including, but not limited to, mental health services, unless specific written instruction has been granted by the student’s parent. For the purposes of this section, this written permission is referred to as an opt in.

b. No school counselor or health care provider may be precluded from providing mental health services due to:

1. An imminent threat to the health of the student or others;

2. Suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation; or

3. When there is an immediate necessity for immediate grief counseling.

(3) All local boards of education in this state shall adopt a policy concerning parent opt in for mental health services. At a minimum, each policy shall contain the following:

a. A provision for written notification, at least annually, to parents about school provided or sponsored mental health services. The notification shall include the purpose and general description of each of the mental health services, information regarding ways parents may review materials to be used in guidance and counseling programs that are available to students, and information regarding ways parents may allow, limit, or prevent their student’s participation in the programs.

b. A provision requiring written permission by a parent for his or her student to participate in mental health services. This written permission shall be specific as to any treatment and not broad in nature. This permission shall also be required annually and may be rescinded at any time by providing written notice to school administration.

c. If a parent elects to opt in to mental health services for his or her student, the counselor providing the services shall keep the parent fully informed regarding diagnosis, recommended counseling, or treatments, and the parent shall have the authority to make final decisions regarding counseling and treatments.

d. A provision requiring all records pertaining to mental health services to be treated as health care records and kept separately from academic records.

(i) Nothing in this section shall limit, preclude, or prevent the provision of any health care service to a minor when the health care provider providing the service has a good faith belief that one of the following conditions exist in regard to the minor:

(1) An imminent threat, as defined in subsection (h).

(2) Suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
Ala. Code § 16-40-21 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 40 / Section 16-40-21
Section 16-40-21 Scope of Elective Courses; Display of Artifacts, Monuments, Symbols, and Texts
Status: in_force

(a) Elective courses offered pursuant to this article shall be designed to do all of the following:

(1) Teach students about Bible characters, poetry, and narratives that are useful for understanding history and contemporary society and culture, including art, music, social mores, oration, and public policy.

(2) Familiarize students with the following:

a. The contents of the Bible and religious history.

b. The history of the Bible and religious history.

c. The literary style and structure of the Bible.

d. The influence of the Bible on law, history, government, literature, art, music, customs, morals, values, and cultures.

(b) A teacher of a course offered pursuant to this article shall comply with applicable law and all federal and state guidelines regarding maintaining religious neutrality and accommodating the diverse religious views, traditions, and perspectives of students in the school.

(c) A teacher of a course offered pursuant to this article may not endorse, favor, promote, disfavor, or show hostility toward any particular religion or nonreligious faith or religious perspective.

(d) The State Board of Education, in complying with this section, may not violate the United States Constitution, federal law, the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, state law, or any administrative rule or regulation of the United States Department of Education or the State Board of Education.

(e) A school principal may authorize the display of historic artifacts, monuments, symbols, and texts including, but not limited to, religious materials, if they are displayed in conjunction with a course of study that includes an elective course in history, civilization, ethics, comparative religion, literature, or other subject area that uses the artifacts, monuments, symbols, and texts as instructional material, as long as the display is appropriate to the overall educational purpose of the course and is displayed only throughout the duration of the course.

(f) The local board of education shall incur no liability and is immune from any liability exposure created by this article.
Ala. Code § 16-17A-1 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 17A / Section 16-17A-1
Section 16-17A-1 Short Title
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “University Authority Act of 2016.”
Ala. Code § 16-24-19 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 24 / Section 16-24-19
Section 16-24-19 Minor Suspensions of Teachers - Contest
Status: reserved

Repealed by Act 2011-270, p. 494, §14, effective July 1, 2011.
Ala. Code § 16-47-54 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 47 / Section 16-47-54
Section 16-47-54 Authority of Board of Trustees of University
Status: in_force

The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama is hereby given full power and authority to maintain and operate the school of dentistry created by this chapter wherever located, and to set, establish and maintain standards of scholarship and teaching which shall be in accordance with standards approved by the Council of Dental Education of the American Dental Association, and to perform all acts and functions necessary or appropriate to carry out the provisions of this chapter as it relates to the proper and orderly maintenance and operation of said dental school; provided, that the board of trustees shall be under no duty to operate or to continue the operation and maintenance of said dental school unless and until adequate appropriations are received from the State of Alabama for that purpose.
Ala. Code § 16-47-128 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 47 / Section 16-47-128
Section 16-47-128 Failure of Recipient to Perform Loan Agreement Grounds for Revocation of Medical License; Revocation Proceedings
Status: in_force

The failure of a recipient of a loan to perform his or her agreement with the Board of Medical Scholarship Awards or to pay the amount he or she is liable for under this division shall constitute a ground for the revocation of his or her license to practice medicine. The proceedings to have the physician’s license revoked shall be commenced upon the written complaint of the Board of Medical Scholarship Awards to the State Board of Medical Examiners. The proceedings shall be in accordance with Sections 34-24-310 to 34-24-381, inclusive, for the imposition of disciplinary sanctions on a license to practice medicine in this state.
Ala. Code § 16-33D-1 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 33D / Section 16-33D-1
Section 16-33D-1 Short Title
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the ReEngage Alabama Grant Program.
Ala. Code § 16-25A-18 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 25A / Section 16-25A-18
Section 16-25A-18 Generic Equivalent Medications
Status: in_force

As a condition of participation in the Public Education Employees Health Insurance Programs (PEEHIP), a pharmacist shall dispense a generic equivalent medication to fill a prescription for a patient covered by PEEHIP when one is available unless the physician indicates in longhand writing on the prescription, indicates by mark or signature in the appropriate place on the prescription, or indicates in an electronic prescription, the following: “medically necessary” or “dispense as written” or “do not substitute”. The generic equivalent drug product dispensed shall be pharmaceutically and therapeutically equivalent and contain the same active ingredient or ingredients, and shall be of the same dosage, form, and strength.
Ala. Code § 16-25-123 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 25 / Section 16-25-123
Section 16-25-123 Recipients of Medicaid Benefits
Status: in_force

Any person who receives benefits under the Medicaid Program and whose eligibility for the benefits would be impaired by the cost-of-living increase provided by this article shall not be entitled to receive the increase. Any person who shall subsequently apply for benefits under the Medicaid program and who would have his or her eligibility to receive benefits impaired by the cost-of-living increase provided by this article, shall not be entitled to receive the increase after the date that the member files application for benefits under the Medicaid program.
Ala. Code § 16-3-28 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 3 / Section 16-3-28
Section 16-3-28 Authority of Board and Trustees of Institutions to Borrow from Federal Agencies or Others; Issuance of Bonds, Notes and Other Securities
Status: in_force

(a) The State Board of Education, acting for the respective educational institutions under its supervision, and each public corporation that conducts one or more state educational institutions under its supervision, acting through its board of trustees or other governing body, are hereby separately authorized to exercise and perform any or all of the following powers:

(1) To borrow money from the United States of America or any department or agency thereof, or from any person, firm, corporation or other lending agency for the purchase, construction, enlargement or alteration of any buildings or other improvements, including dormitories, dining halls, classrooms, laboratories, libraries, stadiums, administration buildings and any other buildings and appurtenances thereto suitable for use by the institution with respect to which the borrowing is made, the acquisition of furniture and equipment for any thereof, the purchase of land, the beautification of grounds and the construction of swimming pools, tennis courts, athletic fields and other facilities for physical education, all for use by such institution;

(2) To sell and issue interest-bearing securities, whether in the form of bonds, notes or other securities, in evidence of the moneys so borrowed;

(3) To pledge to the payment of the principal of and interest on such securities the fees from students levied and to be levied by or for such institution and any other moneys and revenues not appropriated by the state to such institution;

(4) To establish parietal rules respecting the use or occupancy of any facilities the revenues of which are pledged to such securities;

(5) To agree to maintain the charges for the use or occupancy of, for services rendered by or from and for admission to, any facilities the revenues of which are so pledged, and the fees from students so pledged, at such rates and in such amounts as will produce moneys sufficient to pay at their respective maturities the principal of and interest on the securities with respect to which such pledges and agreements are made and to create and maintain any required reserves therefor;

(6) To agree to insure, maintain, repair and replace any such facilities with respect to which any such pledge is made; and

(7) To make such other agreements with respect to the said facilities and such securities as the governing body providing for the issuance thereof shall deem necessary or desirable.

(b) The securities issued under the provisions of this section may from time to time be refunded by the issuance, by sale or exchange, of refunding bonds, notes or other securities payable from the same or different sources for the purpose of paying all or any part of the principal of the securities to be refunded, any redemption premium required to be paid as a condition to the redemption prior to maturity of any such securities that are to be so redeemed in connection with such refunding, any accrued and unpaid interest on the securities to be refunded, any interest to accrue on each security to be refunded to the date on which it is to be paid, whether at maturity or by redemption prior to maturity, and the expenses incurred in connection with such refunding; provided, that unless duly called for redemption pursuant to their provisions, the holders of any such securities then outstanding and proposed to be refunded shall not be compelled without their consent to surrender their outstanding securities for such refunding. Any such securities may be issued from time to time, may be executed in such manner, shall bear interest at such rate or rates, shall be payable as to both principal and interest, at such time or times, may be made redeemable before maturity at the option of the issuing body at such redemption price or prices and on such terms, and may be sold in such manner and at such price or prices, all as may be provided in the proceedings under which they are issued. The State Board of Education or other governing body providing for the issuance of such securities shall have power to prescribe all details thereof, subject only to the provisions of this section. Bonds, notes and other securities issued under the provisions of this section shall be eligible for the investment of trust or other fiduciary funds in the exercise of prudent judgment by those making such investment. Neither the securities issued under, nor any pledge or agreement that may be made pursuant to, the provisions of this section shall be or constitute an obligation of any nature whatsoever of the state, and neither the said securities nor any obligation arising from any such pledge or agreement shall be payable out of any moneys appropriated by the state to the institution with respect to which such securities are issued or such pledge or agreement is made.
Ala. Code § 16-53-5 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 53 / Section 16-53-5
Section 16-53-5 Board of Trustees - Quorum
Status: in_force

Seven members of the board of trustees shall constitute a quorum, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day until a quorum is present.
Ala. Code § 16-53-11 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 53 / Section 16-53-11
Section 16-53-11 Grant or Gift Not to Fail for Informality; Default, Etc., of Trustees Not to Work Forfeiture
Status: in_force

No grant or gift, by will or otherwise, shall fail on account of any misnomer or informality when the intent of the grantor or donor can be arrived at; nor shall any default, malfeasance or nonuser on the part of the trustees or other officers or agents of such corporation work a forfeiture of any of its rights, privileges, powers or franchises.
Ala. Code § 16-13-2 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 13 / Section 16-13-2
Section 16-13-2 Investment of Endowment Funds Held by State Board of Education and Trustees of State Institutions
Status: in_force

Authority is hereby granted to the State Board of Education and the board of trustees of all state institutions respectively, where education is a part of the program of the institution, to invest and reinvest endowment funds and funds held for investment, subject to all the terms, conditions, limitations and restrictions imposed by the laws of Alabama upon domestic life insurance companies in the making and disposing of their investments; and subject to like terms, conditions, limitations and restrictions, each such board shall have full power to hold, purchase, sell, assign, transfer and dispose of any of the securities and investments in which any of the funds shall have been invested, as well as the proceeds of said investments and any moneys belonging to said funds; provided, that all rights and privileges of investment and management of funds heretofore granted or vested in said boards shall continue to vest therein.
Ala. Code § 16-16-9 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16 / Section 16-16-9
Section 16-16-9 Execution, Form, Terms and Conditions of Bonds; Sale; Refunding Bonds; Bonds to Be Limited Obligations; Security for Payment; Bonds as Negotiable Instruments; Exemption from Taxation; Bonds as Security for Deposits and for Investment of Fiduciary Funds
Status: in_force

(a) The bonds of the authority shall be signed by its president and attested by its secretary, and the seal of the authority shall be affixed thereto, and any interest coupons applicable to such bonds shall be signed by the president; provided, that a facsimile of the signature of one, but not both, of the said officers may be printed or otherwise reproduced on any such bonds in lieu of his manually signing the same, a facsimile of the seal of the authority may be printed or otherwise reproduced on any such bonds in lieu of being manually affixed thereto and a facsimile of the president’s signature may be printed or otherwise reproduced on any such interest coupons in lieu of his manually signing the same.

(b) Any bonds of the authority may be executed and delivered by it at any time and from time to time, shall be in such form and denominations and of such tenor and maturities, shall bear such rate or rates of interest, payable at such times and evidenced in such manner, and may contain other provisions not inconsistent herewith, all as may be provided by the resolution of the board of directors whereunder such bonds are authorized to be issued; provided, that no bond of the authority shall have a specified maturity date later than 21 years after its date.

(c) Any bond of the authority may be made subject to redemption at the option of the authority at such times and after such notice and on such conditions and at such redemption price or prices as may be provided in the resolution under which it is authorized to be issued; provided, that those bonds of the authority having specified maturity dates more than 10 years after their date shall be made subject to redemption at the option of the authority at the end of the tenth year after their date, and on any interest payment date thereafter, after such notice and under such terms and conditions and at such redemption price or prices as may be provided in the resolution under which such bonds are authorized to be issued.

(d) Bonds of the authority may be sold from time to time as the board of directors may deem advantageous, but bonds of the authority must be sold only at public sale, either on sealed bids or at public auction, to the bidder whose bid reflects the lowest net interest cost to the authority for the bonds being sold, computed from their date to their respective maturities; provided, that if no bid acceptable to the authority is received it may reject all bids. Notice of each such sale shall be given by publication in either a financial journal or a financial newspaper published in the City of New York, New York, and also a publication in a daily newspaper published in the State of Alabama, each of which notices must be published at least one time not less than 10 days before the date fixed for the sale. The board of directors may fix the terms and conditions under which such sale may be held; provided, that none of the bonds may be sold for a price less than the face value thereof; and provided, further, that such terms and conditions shall not conflict with any of the requirements of this chapter.

(e) Subject to the provisions and limitations contained in this chapter, the authority may from time to time sell and issue refunding bonds for the purpose of refunding any matured or unmatured bonds of the authority then outstanding.

(f) Approval by the Governor of Alabama of the terms and conditions under which any bonds of the authority may be issued shall be requisite to their validity. Such approval shall be entered on the minutes of the meetings of the board of directors at which the bonds are authorized and shall be signed by the Governor.

(g) The authority may pay out of the proceeds of the sale of its bonds attorneys’ fees and the expenses of issuance, which said board of directors may deem necessary and advantageous in connection with the issuance of such bonds. No fiscal agents’ fees shall be paid in connection with the issuance or sale of any such bonds.

(h) Bonds issued by the authority shall not be general obligations of the authority but shall be payable solely out of the funds appropriated and pledged therefor in Section 16-16-11.

(i) As security for the payment of the principal of and interest on the bonds issued by it, the authority is hereby authorized and empowered to pledge for payment of such principal and interest the funds that are appropriated and pledged in Section 16-16-11 for payment of such principal and interest. All such pledges made by the authority shall take precedence in the order of the adoption of the resolution containing such pledges.

(j) All contracts made and all bonds issued by the authority pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be solely and exclusively obligations of the authority and shall not be an obligation or debt of the State of Alabama.

(k) Bonds issued by the authority shall be construed to be negotiable instruments, although payable solely from a specified source, as provided herein.

(l) All bonds issued by the authority and the income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Alabama.

(m) Any bonds issued by the authority may be used by the holder thereof as security for any funds belonging to the state, or to any political subdivision, instrumentality or agency of the state, in any instance where security for such deposits may be required by law.

(n) Unless otherwise directed by the court having jurisdiction thereof, or the document that is the source of authority, a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian or one acting in any other fiduciary capacity may, in addition to any other investment powers conferred by law and with the exercise of reasonable business prudence, invest trust funds in bonds of the authority.

(o) Neither a public hearing nor consent of the State Department of Finance or any other department or agency shall be a prerequisite to the issuance of bonds by the authority.
Ala. Code § 16-49-26.1 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 49 / Section 16-49-26.1
Section 16-49-26.1 Participation in Meetings by Electronic Means
Status: in_force

The Board of Trustees of Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University may participate in meetings by electronic means in the same manner as provided for the Board of Trustees of Alabama State University in Section 16-50-26.
Ala. Code § 16-68-5 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 68 / Section 16-68-5
Section 16-68-5 Annual Report
Status: in_force

(a) By September 1 of each year, the board of trustees of each public institution of higher education shall prepare and disseminate a report for the prior 12-month period ending July 31, that includes all of the following:

(1) The date and description of each violation of the policy adopted pursuant to this chapter.

(2) A description of the administrative handling and discipline relating to each violation described.

(3) A description of substantial difficulties, controversies, or successes in maintaining a posture of administrative and institutional neutrality.

(4) Any assessments, criticism, commendations, or recommendations the board of trustees sees fit to include.

(b) Each board of trustees shall cause the report to be published in a prominent location on its institution’s website. In addition, each board of trustees shall submit a copy of the report to the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, which shall publish the report in a prominent location on its website and notify the Governor and the Legislature of its receipt of the report.
Ala. Code § 16-5-31 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 5 / Section 16-5-31
Section 16-5-31 Duties
Status: in_force

The steering committee shall perform each of the following duties:

(1) Seek methods to improve participation in two-year and four-year postsecondary education.

(2) Seek methods to improve high school retention.

(3) Encourage the State Board of Education and local boards of education to adopt courses of study that prepare students for two-year and four-year technical, vocational, and academic programs.

(4) Organize and supervise local groups to perform each of the following functions:

a. Encourage participation in two-year and four-year postsecondary education.

b. Improve high school retention.

c. Encourage the adoption by the local board of education of two-year and four-year postsecondary education preparatory courses of study.

d. Provide tutorial, counseling, and other educational assistance to local junior and senior high school students.

(5) Advise the Alabama Commission on Higher Education regarding the operation of the Postsecondary Education Communication Center established in Section 16-5-32.
Ala. Code § 16-24-16 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 24 / Section 16-24-16
Section 16-24-16 Major Suspensions of Teachers - Contests
Status: reserved

Repealed by Act 2011-270, p. 494, §14, effective July 1, 2011.
Ala. Code § 16-17-19 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 17 / Section 16-17-19
Section 16-17-19 Dissolution of Authority and Vesting of Title to Its Properties
Status: in_force

At any time when the authority does not have any bonds outstanding and when there shall be no obligations assumed by the authority that are then outstanding, the board may adopt a resolution, which shall be duly entered upon its minutes, declaring that the authority shall be dissolved. Upon the filing for record of a certified copy of said resolution in the office of the judge of probate of the county in which the authority’s original certificate of incorporation was filed, the authority shall thereupon stand dissolved, and in the event it owned any property at the time of its dissolution, the title to all its property shall thereupon vest in the determining municipality. In the event the authority shall at any time have outstanding bonds issued hereunder payable out of the revenues from various ancillary improvements, then, as and when the principal of and the interest on all bonds payable, in whole or in part, from the revenues derived from any particular ancillary improvements shall have been paid in full, title to the ancillary improvements with respect to which the bonds so paid in full have been paid shall thereupon vest in the determining municipality or in an educational institution as the board of directors may direct by resolution, but such vesting of title shall not affect the title of the authority to any other ancillary improvements the revenues from which are pledged for the payment of any other bonds then outstanding. The formation of one or more authorities under the provisions of this chapter shall not prevent the subsequent formation hereunder of other authorities with respect to the same determining municipality.
Ala. Code § 16-17-11 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 17 / Section 16-17-11
Section 16-17-11 Contracts to Secure Bonds and Assumed Obligations
Status: in_force

As security for payment of the principal of and interest on bonds issued or obligations assumed by it, the authority may enter into a contract or contracts binding itself for the proper application of the proceeds of bonds and other funds, for the continued operation, maintenance and disposition (including lease) of any ancillary improvements or part thereof owned by it, for the imposition and collection of reasonable rentals from such ancillary improvements, for the disposition and application of its gross revenues or any part thereof and for any other act or series of acts not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter for the protection of the bonds and other obligations being secured and the assurance that the revenues from such ancillary improvements will be sufficient to operate such ancillary improvements, maintain the same in good repair and in good operating condition, pay the principal of and interest on any bonds payable from such revenues and maintain such reserves as may be deemed appropriate for the protection of the bonds, the efficient operation of such ancillary improvements and the making of replacements thereof and capital improvements thereto. Any contract made pursuant to the provisions of this section may be set forth in any resolution of the board authorizing the issuance of bonds or the assumption of obligations or in any mortgage and deed of trust, or trust indenture, made by the authority hereunder.
Ala. Code § 16-30C-2 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 30C / Section 16-30C-2
Section 16-30C-2 Seizure Management and Treatment Plans
Status: in_force

(a) Commencing with the 2022-2023 school year, the parent or guardian of a student who has a seizure disorder and is enrolled in and attending a public K-12 school may seek care for the student’s seizures while the student is at school or is participating in a school-sponsored activity by collaborating with school personnel and the applicable local board of education to ensure a seizure management and treatment plan is included in the student’s individual health plan. The seizure management and treatment plan shall be submitted to and reviewed by the lead nurse employed by the local board of education at all of the following times:

(1) Before or at the beginning of the school year.

(2) Upon enrollment of the student, if the student enrolls in a school after the beginning of the school year.

(3) As soon as practicable following a diagnosis of a seizure disorder for the student.

(b) A seizure management and treatment plan shall include all of the following:

(1) A list of the health care services the student may receive at school or while participating in a school sponsored activity.

(2) A list of prescribed medications the student may receive including the name and purpose of the medication, the prescribed dosage, the route of administration, the frequency that the medication may be administered, and the circumstances under which the medication may be administered.

(3) An evaluation of the student’s level of understanding and ability to manage his or her seizures.

(4) The signature of the student’s parent or guardian.

(5) The name and address of the physician responsible for the student’s seizure treatment.
Ala. Code § 16-60-82 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 60 / Section 16-60-82
Section 16-60-82 Legislative Findings of Fact and Declaration of Intent
Status: in_force

The Legislature hereby makes the following findings of fact and declares its intent to be as follows: The number of students enrolled in trade schools and colleges supported wholly or in part by the state has increased greatly during recent years. Further increases in enrollment are anticipated because of the increased rate of births, the increased need for skilled workers and other factors. In order to meet these needs and to provide residents of this state with the opportunity to receive adequate instruction in the arts and sciences and in useful skills and trades, it is imperative that junior colleges and additional trade schools be constructed, equipped and operated. The tax revenues and other funds currently available for trade schools and junior colleges are not sufficient to permit immediate outlays of the large amounts of capital necessary for such construction and equipment and at the same time to permit the State Board of Education to meet current expenses for operation and maintenance. The most feasible way in which the urgent need for the construction of buildings and the purchase of equipment can be met is by anticipating the receipt of a portion of the revenues devoted by law to educational institutions of the types known as trade schools and junior colleges by capitalizing such revenues, to the end that such revenues may be applied for retirement of the costs of such construction and equipment as such revenues are received during the useful life of said buildings and equipment. It is necessary and desirable that said revenues be anticipated in the manner hereinafter provided for the purpose of effecting the needed capital outlays. It is the intention of the Legislature by the passage of this article to authorize the formation of a public corporation for the purpose of providing for the construction and equipment of additional trade schools and junior colleges, and to make capital improvements at existing trade schools and at institutions of higher learning heretofore or hereafter established; and to authorize said corporation for that purpose to anticipate those portions of the privilege or excise tax hereinafter referred to that is required by law to be paid into the Education Trust Fund by issuing the bonds of said corporation payable out of and secured by a pledge of said portion of the said privilege or excise tax. This article shall be liberally construed in accordance with this intent.