reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 16 - Education. › Chapter 1 - General Provisions. › Section 16-1-18.2 - Payment for Unused Sick Leave Upon Death of Employee.

Section 16-1-18.2
Payment for unused sick leave upon death of employee.
(a) Payment to beneficiary or estate for unused sick leave. Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, when an active and contributing member of the Teachers' Retirement System dies while in service, the beneficiary or estate of the deceased member shall receive a monetary payment of 100 percent of the member's accrued and unused sick leave, not to exceed the maximum days provided in Section 16-1-18.1. The amount of reimbursement per day for earned and unused sick leave shall be computed on the basis of the member's daily rate of pay and multiplied by the number of unused sick leave days and partial sick leave days in the deceased member's account at the time of death, not to exceed the maximum days allowed in Section 16-1-18.1. The beneficiary shall be the designated beneficiary for Teachers' Retirement System benefits. The State Comptroller shall develop and disseminate certification of death forms to the chief executive officer of all boards, agencies, organizations, and associations participating in the Teachers' Retirement System. The certification of death forms shall contain the number of accumulated and unused sick leave days for the deceased member as well as any other information needed by the State Comptroller to calculate the amount of the benefit. The State Comptroller shall pay the calculated amount of sick leave to the deceased member's designated beneficiary or estate if the designated beneficiary is deceased.
(b) Appropriation and disbursement. There is appropriated from the Education Trust Fund such amounts as may be necessary to fulfill the requirements of this section. The State Comptroller shall make the disbursements to the designated beneficiary or estate within 30 days after receiving the appropriate documentation.
(Act 98-385, p. 732, §13; Act 2000-454, p. 818, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 16 - Education. › Chapter 1 - General Provisions. › Section 16-1-19 - Students at Colleges, Universities, etc., Deemed Residents of State if Parent or Guardian Registered to Vote in State and Employed by Congressman or in Executive Branch of Federal Government on Appointment by President.

Section 16-1-19
Students at colleges, universities, etc., deemed residents of state if parent or guardian registered to vote in state and employed by congressman or in executive branch of federal government on appointment by President.
Any law or any rule or regulation to the contrary notwithstanding, for the purposes of paying tuition or fees at any college, university or other institution of higher learning, any student shall be considered a resident of this state if one of the student's parents or legal guardians is a resident of this state for voting purposes and is either a full-time employee of a United States senator or congressman representing this state or a full-time officer or employee of the Executive Branch of the federal government on appointment by the President of the United States.
(Acts 1977, No. 697, p. 1233, § 1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 16 - Education. › Chapter 1 - General Provisions. › Section 16-1-20 - Period of Silence for Meditation at Beginning of First Class in Public Schools.

Section 16-1-20
Period of silence for meditation at beginning of first class in public schools.
At the commencement of the first class each day in the first through the sixth grades in all public schools, the teacher in charge of the room in which each such class is held shall announce that a period of silence, not to exceed one minute in duration, shall be observed for meditation, and during any such period silence shall be maintained and no activities engaged in.
(Acts 1978, No. 662, p. 955, § 1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 16 - Education. › Chapter 1 - General Provisions. › Section 16-1-20.1 - Period of Silence for Meditation.

Section 16-1-20.1
Period of silence for meditation.
Repealed by Act 98-381, p. 715, § 2, effective April 27, 1998.
(Acts 1981, No. 81-357, p. 523.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 16 - Education. › Chapter 1 - General Provisions. › Section 16-1-20.2 - School Prayer.

Section 16-1-20.2
School prayer.
From henceforth, any teacher or professor in any public educational institution within the State of Alabama, recognizing that the Lord God is one, at the beginning of any homeroom or any class, may pray, may lead willing students in prayer, or may lead the willing students in the following prayer to God:
Almighty God, You alone are our God. We acknowledge You as the Creator and Supreme Judge of the world. May Your justice, Your truth, and Your peace abound this day in the hearts of our countrymen, in the counsels of our government, in the sanctity of our homes and in the classrooms of our schools in the name of our Lord. Amen.
(Acts 1982, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 82-735, p. 190, § 1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 16 - Education. › Chapter 1 - General Provisions. › Section 16-1-20.3 - Student-Initiated Voluntary Prayer.

Section 16-1-20.3
Student-initiated voluntary prayer.
(a) The legislative intent and purpose for this section is to protect the freedom of speech guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article 1, Section 4 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to define for the citizens of Alabama the rights and privileges that are accorded them on public school and other public property and at school-related events, and to provide guidance to public school officials on the rights and requirements of law they must apply. Further, the intent and purpose of the Legislature is to properly accommodate the free exercise of religious rights of its student citizens in the public schools and at public school events as mandated by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and the judicial interpretations thereof as given by the United States Supreme Court.
(b) On public school, other public, or other property, non-sectarian, non-proselytizing student-initiated voluntary prayer, invocations and/or benedictions, shall be permitted during compulsory or non-compulsory school-related student assemblies, school-related student sporting events, school-related graduation or commencement ceremonies, and other school-related student events.
(c) Nothing in this section shall otherwise diminish the right of any student or person to exercise his or her rights of free speech and religion, including prayer, as permitted by the United States Constitution and the Alabama Constitution on public school or other public property, or other property, at times or events other than those stated in subsection (b).
(d) The exercise of these rights on public school or other public property, or on other property for school-related activities, by students or others, shall not be construed to indicate any support, approval, or sanction by the State of Alabama, any political subdivision thereof, municipal corporation, governmental entity of any description, or any agent or employee of any governmental entity of the contents of any such prayer, invocation, benediction, or other activity, or be an unconstitutional use of any public school property or other public property, or be the promotion or establishment of any religion or religious belief.
(Acts 1993, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 93-850, p. 77, §§1-4.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 16 - Education. › Chapter 1 - General Provisions. › Section 16-1-20.4 - Period of Quiet Reflection.

Section 16-1-20.4
Period of quiet reflection.
(a) The Legislature of Alabama finds that in the hectic society of today all too few citizens are able to experience even a moment of quiet reflection before plunging headlong into the activities of daily life. Young citizens are particularly affected by the absence of an opportunity for a moment of quiet reflection. The Legislature finds that our young, and society as a whole, would be well served if students in the public schools were afforded a moment of quiet reflection at the beginning of each school day and at the opening of school athletic events and graduation ceremonies.
(b) At the opening of school every day in each public school classroom, the teacher in charge shall conduct a brief period of quiet reflection for 60 seconds with the participation of every pupil in the classroom.
(c) At the beginning of every school athletic event and graduation ceremony, the principal of the school, or his or her designee, shall conduct a brief period of quiet reflection for 60 seconds.
(d) The moment of quiet reflection authorized by subsection (b) and subsection (c) is not intended to be and shall not be conducted as a religious service or exercise, but shall be considered an opportunity for a moment of silent reflection on the anticipated activities of the day or event.
(Act 98-381, p. 715, §1; Act 2001-428, p. 556, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 16 - Education. › Chapter 1 - General Provisions. › Section 16-1-20.6 - Released Time for Student Participation in Religious Instruction.

Section 16-1-20.6
Released time for student participation in religious instruction.
(a) This section shall be known and may be cited as the Alabama Released Time Credit Act.
(b) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1) That the United States Supreme Court, in its decision in Zorach v. Clauson, 343 U.S. 306 (1952), upheld the constitutionality of released time programs for religious instruction for public school students during the school day.
(2) That the United States Constitution and state law allows local school districts to offer religious released time education for the benefit of public school students.
(3) That the purpose of this section is to incorporate a constitutionally acceptable method of allowing school districts to offer released time classes and, in grades where credit is earned, to award students elective credit for classes taken during the school day in released time programs.
(c) As used in this section, the term released time means a period of time during the school day when a student is allowed to participate in an elective course in religious instruction, conducted off school district property, by a private entity.
(d) The State Board of Education shall adopt and each local board of education may implement a policy for a student to attend released time as an elective course if all of the following are satisfied:
(1) The parent or guardian of the student gives written consent.
(2) The sponsoring entity maintains attendance records and makes them available to the public school the student attends.
(3) The sponsoring entity makes provisions for and assumes liability for the student who is excused for released time.
(4) No public funds are expended other than de minimis administrative costs.
(5) No public school personnel are involved in providing the religious instruction.
(e) In grades where credit is earned, a student who participates in released time may earn elective course credit for participation, as provided by rules adopted by the State Board of Education for elective courses. Credit awarded may not exceed normal credit given for an elective course in the particular school system. The State Board of Education shall also adopt minimum standards for class attendance necessary to qualify for credit.
(f) A student who participates in religious instruction for elective credit during released time shall be credited with time spent as if the student attended school, and the time shall be calculated as part of the actual school day.
(g) Transportation to and from the place of released time, including transportation for any student with disabilities, is the complete responsibility of the sponsoring private entity, parent, guardian, or student and may not be arranged, coordinated, or provided for by public school personnel.
(h) No student may be released from a required core curriculum class to attend released time.
(Act 2019-281, §§1-3.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 16 - Education. › Chapter 1 - General Provisions. › Section 16-1-21 - Payments by Boards of Education for Fund-Saving Suggestions; Section Permissive Only.

Section 16-1-21
Payments by boards of education for fund-saving suggestions; section permissive only.
(a) All local boards of education, throughout the state, now existing or hereinafter established, are hereby authorized to pay employees for suggestions which result in a saving of funds for that particular board of education. Such expenditures are to be made from the general operating funds of the particular board of education awarding the payment.
(b) The expenditures authorized herein shall not be paid to members of the board of education nor to administrative personnel whose normal job duties include providing suggestions for saving of board funds.
(c) This section is permissive only and any authority to give moneys to employees for suggestions remains with the local county or city boards of education. The amount of payment shall be determined by the individual boards, and shall be calculated in such manner as the individual boards see fit.
(Acts 1979, No. 79-620, p. 1100, §§ 1-3.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 16 - Education. › Chapter 1 - General Provisions. › Section 16-1-22 - Audit of Certain Institutions.

Section 16-1-22
Audit of certain institutions.
The Department of Examiners of Public Accounts is hereby authorized and empowered to audit the records of the Marion Military Institute, the Lyman Ward Military Academy, the Talladega College, the Walker County Junior College, the Tuskegee University, the Sylacauga Nurses Training School, and the Coosa Valley Medical Center School of Nursing to the same extent, degree, and scope as its audits of public educational institutions, and said institutions shall submit to the Legislature each year before any subsequent appropriation requests may be considered by the Legislature, a full accounting of their receipts, disbursements, assets, liabilities, and other resources as of the date of the close of their immediately preceding academic year.
(Acts 1980, No. 80-479, p. 750, § 2; Acts 1980, No. 80-480, p. 751, § 2; Acts 1980, No. 80-481, p. 751, § 2; Acts 1980, No. 80-482, p. 752, § 2; Acts 1980, No. 80-483, p. 752, § 2; Acts 1987, No. 87-352, p. 517, § 2; Acts 1991, No. 91-693, p. 1339, § 2.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 16 - Education. › Chapter 1 - General Provisions. › Section 16-1-23 - Hazing Prohibited; Penalty.

Section 16-1-23
Hazing prohibited; penalty.
(a) Hazing is defined as follows:
(1) Any willful action taken or situation created, whether on or off any school, college, university, or other educational premises, which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health of any student, or
(2) Any willful act on or off any school, college, university, or other educational premises by any person alone or acting with others in striking, beating, bruising, or maiming; or seriously offering, threatening, or attempting to strike, beat, bruise, or maim, or to do or seriously offer, threaten, or attempt to do physical violence to any student of any such educational institution or any assault upon any such students made for the purpose of committing any of the acts, or producing any of the results to such student as defined in this section.
(3) The term hazing as defined in this section does not include customary athletic events or similar contests or competitions, and is limited to those actions taken and situations created in connection with initiation into or affiliation with any organization. The term hazing does not include corporal punishment administered by officials or employees of public schools when in accordance with policies adopted by local boards of education.
(b) No person shall engage in what is commonly known and recognized as hazing, or encourage, aid, or assist any other person thus offending.
(c) No person shall knowingly permit, encourage, aid, or assist any person in committing the offense of hazing, or willfully acquiesce in the commission of such offense, or fail to report promptly his knowledge or any reasonable information within his knowledge of the presence and practice of hazing in this state to the chief executive officer of the appropriate school, college, university, or other educational institution in this state. Any act of omission or commission shall be deemed hazing under the provisions of this section.
(d) Any person who shall commit the offense of hazing shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor as defined by Title 13A.
(e) Any person who participates in the hazing of another, or any organization associated with a school, college, university, or other educational institution in this state which knowingly permits hazing to be conducted by its members or by others subject to its direction or control, shall forfeit any entitlement to public funds, scholarships, or awards which are enjoyed by him or by it and shall be deprived of any sanction or approval granted by the school, college, university, or other educational institution.
(f) Nothing in this section shall be construed as in any manner affecting or repealing any law of this state respecting homicide, or murder, manslaughter, assault with intent to murder, or aggravated assault.
(Acts 1981, No. 81-824, p. 1466, §§ 1-6.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 16 - Education. › Chapter 1 - General Provisions. › Section 16-1-24.2 - Department of Education to Develop Statewide Violence Prevention Program.

Section 16-1-24.2
Department of Education to develop statewide violence prevention program.
(a) For purposes of this section, the following words and terms shall have the following meanings:
(1) GUIDANCE COUNSELING PROCEDURES. Procedures providing planned, sequential activities and services designed to help all students develop skills in the areas of personal and social growth, educational planning, and career and vocational development.
(2) LAW-RELATED EDUCATION. Education which provides children and youth with the knowledge and skills pertaining to the law, the legal process, school safety, and citizenship responsibilities to promote law-abiding behavior with the purpose to prevent children and youth from engaging in delinquency or violence and enable them to become productive citizens.
(b) The Department of Education shall develop a statewide violence prevention program using such resources as law-related education and guidance counseling procedures to develop violence prevention curricula for grades K through twelve, to provide training to teachers and school administrators on violence prevention, and to develop school-community partnerships for violence prevention.
(Acts 1994, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 94-784, p. 72, §2.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 16 - Education. › Chapter 1 - General Provisions. › Section 16-1-24.3 - Local Boards of Education to Implement Policies Requiring Expulsion of Students Who Possess Firearms in School Areas.

Section 16-1-24.3
Local boards of education to implement policies requiring expulsion of students who possess firearms in school areas.
(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.
(Acts 1995, No. 95-756, 1768, §§1-4.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 16 - Education. › Chapter 1 - General Provisions. › Section 16-1-25 - Access to Students and Campus Facilities by Military Recruiters of u.s. Armed Forces and Department of Homeland Security.

Section 16-1-25
Access to students and campus facilities by military recruiters of U.S. Armed Forces and Department of Homeland Security.
All city and county public school systems and all public institutions of higher education as defined by Section 16-5-1 and all divisions of public institutions of higher education shall grant military recruiters of the United States Armed Forces and United States Department of Homeland Security the same information and access to students and campus facilities as the institution grants to prospective employers of students or to postsecondary institutions.
(Acts 1982, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 82-762, p. 237, §1; Acts 1996, No. 96-672, p. 1137, §1; Act 2017-259, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 16 - Education. › Chapter 1 - General Provisions. › Section 16-1-25.1 - Access by Professional Educators' Associations.

Section 16-1-25.1
Access by professional educators' associations.
(a) A public school district or any employee of a public school district shall grant all professional educators' associations the same level of access to employees of the public school district. No professional educators' association shall have a level of access to employees of the public school district that is greater than or less than any other professional educators' association.
(b) For purposes of this section, access shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following:
(1) Setting up informational tables at inservice or other similar meetings.
(2) Speaking at inservice or other similar meetings.
(3) Distributing information in a school's mail boxes or through a school's email system.
(4) Utilizing a school's meeting rooms during nonworking hours.
(5) Representing employees in employment matters, when requested by the employee.
(6) Posting information on school bulletin boards.
(Act 2018-233, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 16 - Education. › Chapter 1 - General Provisions. › Section 16-1-26 - Compensation of School Board Members.

Section 16-1-26
Compensation of school board members.
(a) Members of city and county school boards are authorized to receive reasonable compensation for their services, not to exceed six hundred dollars ($600) per month, unless set at a higher figure by a local act, upon approval by a majority vote of the members at the board's annual meeting. Compensation shall be in addition to actual traveling and other necessary expenses incurred in attending meetings and transacting business of the board.
(b) The compensation, actual traveling expenses and other necessary expenses incurred shall be paid as other ordinary and necessary expenses of the board.
(c) Any individual school board member, at his or her option, may refuse to accept all or any portion of the approved compensation.
(Acts 1983, No. 83-603, p. 941; Act 2000-123, p. 178, § 1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 16 - Education. › Chapter 1 - General Provisions. › Section 16-1-27 - Use of Electronic Communication Devices on School Property.

Section 16-1-27
Use of electronic communication devices on school property.
(a) A local board of education may permit any pupil to carry a pocket pager, cellular telephone, or other electronic communication device while on school property and may permit any pupil to use a pocket pager, cellular telephone, or other electronic communication device, when such use is expressly and specifically permitted by the school administrator, teacher, or employee who is acting in a supervisory capacity at the time of the use.
(b) Any pupil found in violation of this section shall be subject to suspension by the board of education.
(c) Each local board of education may adopt a local policy that pertains to pocket pagers, cellular telephones, and other electronic communication devices.
(Acts 1989, No. 89-953, p. 1880, §1; Act 2006-530, p. 1224, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 16 - Education. › Chapter 1 - General Provisions. › 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.

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.
(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.
(Acts 1992, No. 92-439, p. 869, §§1-3.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 16 - Education. › Chapter 1 - General Provisions. › Section 16-1-30 - Written Educational Policies, Rules and Regulations of Local Boards of Education.

Section 16-1-30
Written educational policies, rules and regulations of local boards of education.
(a) Definitions. When used in this section, the following words shall have the following meanings:
(1) LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION or BOARD OF EDUCATION. Any city or county board of education; the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind; the Alabama Youth Services Board in its capacity as the Board of Education for the Youth Services Department District; the Board of Directors of the Alabama School of Fine Arts; and the Board of Directors of the Alabama High School of Mathematics and Science.
(2) CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER. The superintendent of any public county or public city school system; the President of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind; the Superintendent of the Department of Youth Services District; the Executive Director of the Alabama School of Fine Arts; the Executive Director of the Alabama High School of Mathematics and Science.
(3) PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION. The employees' local professional organization whose parent organization represents the majority of school employees statewide.
(b) The local board of education shall, upon the written recommendation of the chief executive officer, determine and establish a written educational policy for the board of education and its employees and shall prescribe rules and regulations for the conduct and management of the schools. Before adopting the written policies, the board shall, directly or indirectly through the chief executive officer, consult with the applicable local employees' professional organization. Input by the applicable professional organization shall be made in writing to the chief executive officer. Representatives of the professional organization shall be made known to the chief executive officer in writing by the professional organization's duly elected officers or their representative. The chief executive officer of the board may also consult with professional assistants, principals, employees, and other interested citizens. The written policies, rules, and regulations, so established, adopted, or promulgated shall be made available to all persons affected and employed by the board. Any amendments to the policies, rules, and regulations shall be developed in the same manner and furnished to the affected persons employed by the board within 20 days after adoption.
(Acts 1995, No. 95-121, p. 183, §§2, 3.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 16 - Education. › Chapter 1 - General Provisions. › Section 16-1-31 - Elective Course Credit for Participation in Ymca Youth and Government Programs.

Section 16-1-31
Elective course credit for participation in YMCA Youth and Government programs.
(a) Each public local board of education may provide that a high school student who participates in YMCA Youth and Government programs may earn elective course credit for participation providing that Section 16-28-5, which requires 140 days of instruction by a certified teacher, is adhered to.
(b) The amount of elective course credit granted for participation in YMCA Youth and Government programs shall be determined by the local board of education, but the credit shall not exceed one credit unit.
(c) Participation by a student in YMCA Youth and Government programs shall be certified by the local YMCA official responsible for the program.
(d) YMCA Youth and Government programs eligible for credit pursuant to this section shall be approved by local boards of education.
(e) Local boards of education may adopt minimum standards for any program pursuant to this section including minimum standards for the curriculum and participation in order to qualify for credit.
(Acts 1996, No. 96-491, p. 622, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 16 - Education. › Chapter 1 - General Provisions. › Section 16-1-32 - Debit Cards; Authorized Uses; Transaction Fees.

Section 16-1-32
Debit cards; authorized uses; transaction fees.
(a) The board of trustees or any other governing body of a public institution of higher education as defined in Section 16-5-1 may establish a program which provides students enrolled at the institution with debit cards issued by the institution. This specific authority shall exist in addition to any pre-existing authority to establish such a program conferred elsewhere by the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, or statute.
(b) A student issued a debit card under the program may use the card to purchase merchandise or services available through the institution or at the institution through a person authorized to sell merchandise or services at the institution, or at any other location or through any other person as determined by the board of trustees or the governing body.
(c) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing subsection, the debit card program shall at a minimum allow a person who operates an off-campus college bookstore which sells merchandise or services of the same kind as the merchandise or services that a student may purchase at a bookstore operated on the campus of the institution under subsection (b), to participate in the program under the same or equivalent terms applicable to a person authorized to sell merchandise or services under subsection (b), and to accept a debit card payment from a student to whom a debit card has been issued under the program for purchase of that merchandise or service.
(d) A per transaction fee, not to exceed 3.25 percent of the total purchase price may be charged the off-campus bookstore by the institution administering the debit card program. Other merchants may participate in the program under the terms and conditions established by the institution. The transaction fee for all other merchants or vendors, irrespective of type of business, shall not exceed five percent of the total purchase price.
(e) The amendments to this section specified in Act 2006-405 shall be implemented and be operative by July 1, 2006.
(Acts 1997, No. 97-226, p. 371, §1; Act 2006-405, p. 1013, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 16 - Education. › Chapter 1 - General Provisions. › Section 16-1-33 - Written Reduction-in-Force Policy.

Section 16-1-33
Written reduction-in-force policy.
(a) When used in this section, the following words shall have the following meanings:
(1) BOARD. All public city and county boards of education, the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, the Alabama Youth Services Department District Board in its capacity as the Board of Education for the Youth Services Department District, the Board of Directors of the Alabama School of Fine Arts, and the Board of Trustees of the Alabama High School of Mathematics and Science.
(2) EMPLOYEES. Employees or personnel of the board, except those employees covered under the state's Merit System and except those employees at the Alabama Industries for the Blind.
(3) LAYOFF. An unavoidable reduction in the work force beyond normal attrition due to decreased student enrollment or shortage of revenues.
(b) Each board shall adopt a written reduction-in-force policy consistent with Section 16-1-30. The policy shall include, but shall not be limited to, layoffs, recalls, and notifications of layoffs and recalls. The reduction-in-force policy of the board shall be based on objective criteria.
(Acts 1997, No. 97-622, p. 1095, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 16 - Education. › Chapter 1 - General Provisions. › Section 16-1-34 - Donation by Two-Year College President of Surplus Property to Local Public School System.

Section 16-1-34
Donation by two-year college president of surplus property to local public school system.
A two-year college president under the jurisdiction of the Department of Postsecondary Education and the State Board of Education and the State Board of Medical Examiners may donate surplus personal property of the institution to a local city board of education or to a local county board of education for use by public high schools, public middle schools, and public elementary schools in the respective local public school system. Accurate records of the transactions shall be kept by the two-year institution and the State Board of Medical Examiners and the recipient local public school system.
(Act 2000-689, p. 1400, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 16 - Education. › Chapter 1 - General Provisions. › Section 16-1-35 - Governor's Academic Achievement Program.

Section 16-1-35
Governor's Academic Achievement Program.
(a) The "Governor's Academic Achievement Program" is created to encourage and reward academic improvement in the public schools of this state.
(b) Pursuant to the State Board of Education Academic Assistance Program, the status of each public school is classified as one of the following:
(1) Academic Clear.
(2) Academic Caution.
(3) Academic Alert.
(4) Academic Intervention.
(c) Pursuant to the Governor's Academic Achievement Program, any public school in the state that improves its academic achievement status by one or more steps from the previous year shall receive a financial reward.
(1) A two thousand dollar ($2,000) reward shall be paid to any school that improves by one step from Academic Intervention to Academic Alert, from Academic Alert to Academic Caution, or from Academic Caution to Academic Clear.
(2) A three thousand dollar ($3,000) reward shall be paid to any school that improves by two steps from Academic Intervention to Academic Caution or from Academic Alert to Academic Clear.
(3) A five thousand dollar ($5,000) reward shall be paid to any school that improves by three steps from Academic Intervention to Academic Clear. In addition to the financial reward, the school shall receive a Governor's Academic Achievement Program trophy signifying outstanding academic achievement.
(d) Any school on Academic Clear status that demonstrates annual improvement on the nationally normed achievement test for three consecutive years, as confirmed by the State Superintendent of Education, shall receive a five thousand dollar ($5,000) reward for the third year's improvement and a five thousand dollar ($5,000) reward for each three-year period of consecutive improvement thereafter. For any year that the school does not demonstrate improvement, the reward shall not be granted and the three-year consecutive improvement time period shall again be required prior to qualifying for the reward.
(e) Any school earning a financial reward pursuant to this section shall use the reward money for instructional programs and materials at the school as determined by the teachers of the school.
(f) The Legislature shall annually appropriate sufficient funds to the State Department of Education from the Education Trust Fund to meet the requirements of this section. The State Department of Education shall allocate the funds as provided in this section to the respective schools.
(Act 2000-766, p. 1759, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 16 - Education. › Chapter 1 - General Provisions. › Section 16-1-36 - Tutoring Programs for Students Accessed Below Average Sat Scores.

Section 16-1-36
Tutoring programs for students accessed below average SAT scores.
(a) Beginning in the 2000-2001 school year, any public school student in this state who is required by statute or regulation of the State Department of Education to be tested or assessed by Stanford Achievement Test (SAT) or any other assessment used by the school system who scores or is assessed at a range of one grade below any subject or subjects, or falls below the average of the school system assessment shall be provided tutoring programs for reading skills and other subjects by the department. The tutoring program shall be provided within the school system of the student. Tutoring programs shall continue two additional times for any student while attending the school for any subject or subjects until the student scores or is assessed in the average range or above for each subject being tutored, however, the school system may continue the tutoring sessions, and the program shall remain for all other students provided funding is available or appropriated by the state.
(b) Prior to providing a tutoring program, a school system shall develop and submit to the State Department of Education for its approval a local plan for the implementation of tutoring service.
(c) The school system may utilize the services of the Boys and Girls Clubs.
(d) The State Superintendent of Education shall promulgate necessary regulations to implement this section.
(Act 2000-804, p. 1915, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 16 - Education. › Chapter 1 - General Provisions. › Section 16-1-37 - Issuance of High School Diplomas to Certain Honorably Discharged Veterans.

Section 16-1-37
Issuance of high school diplomas to certain honorably discharged veterans.
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.
(Act 2001-345, p. 449, §1; Act 2004-549, p. 1177, §1; Act 2010-691, p. 1678, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 16 - Education. › Chapter 1 - General Provisions. › Section 16-1-38 - Financial and Education Law Training for Newly Elected Superintendents of Education.

Section 16-1-38
Financial and education law training for newly elected superintendents of education.
(a)(1) Each person newly elected or appointed as a city or county superintendent of education shall, prior to assuming office, attend and satisfactorily complete a training program on school finances and education law. This requirement shall be applicable upon the development and offering of the training program as provided in this section.
(2) The State Superintendent of Education, based upon reasonable cause, may allow a newly elected or appointed superintendent to attend and satisfactorily complete the training program after assuming office.
(3) Superintendents serving on May 31, 2001, may attend such training program.
(4) The Department of Education, or its designee, shall provide the training program at no cost.
(b)(1) The training program shall be formulated by a committee comprised of the State Superintendent of Education and each of the following:
a. A representative of the State Department of Education appointed by the State Board of Education.
b. A representative of the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools, appointed by the governing body of the council.
c. A representative of the Alabama Education Association, appointed by the governing body of the association.
d. A representative of the Alabama Association of School Boards, appointed by the governing body of the association.
e. A representative of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, appointed by the governing body of the commission.
(2) The committee shall determine each of the following:
a. The contents, scope, and curriculum of the program.
b. The duration of the program.
c. Locations and dates when the program would be offered.
d. The costs of developing the training program for school finance and law as well as the costs of validating and completing bias reviews for the required assessment program.
e. Other relevant matters relating to the development, implementation, and operation of the program.
(3) The committee shall recommend to the State Board of Education the inclusion of the school finance and law training program into all preparation programs for school administrators.
(4) The institutions of higher education shall use for the school finance and law courses only those professors who have satisfactorily completed the training and/or assessment program.
(c)(1) The State Board of Education, by rule, may provide further for the contents, scope, curriculum, duration, offerings, and other relevant matters relating to the development, implementation, and operation of the training program.
(2) The State Board of Education, by rule, may provide for the participation in all or a portion of the program by superintendents serving on May 31, 2001, and other appropriate school personnel.
(Act 2001-706, p. 1569, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 16 - Education. › Chapter 1 - General Provisions. › Section 16-1-40 - Education Trust Fund Proration Relief.

Section 16-1-40
Education Trust Fund proration relief.
(a) During fiscal year 2009 and any fiscal year in which proration is declared by the Governor in an amount equal to or greater than three percent, local boards of education, with the recommendation of the local superintendent, may transfer Education Trust Fund line item appropriations including the Public School Fund, except Public School Fund monies dedicated to a specific capital outlay project or debt service and except for Alabama Public School and College Authority funds which are allocated for a specific capital outlay project, between and among appropriated line item categories. No state funds shall be transferred from funds appropriated for salaries, fringe benefits, or student materials allocations.
(b) Prior to any implementation of the flexibility provisions of this section, the local board of education shall produce a plan indicating the source and amount to be transferred from each line item and show that the transfer of funds is necessary to minimize the loss of locally employed personnel providing education services, and to cover the essential operational expenses not fully funded by the Education Trust Fund Appropriations Act. The plan shall be submitted to the State Superintendent of Education for approval and must also be made available to the public and approved by the local board of education before it is submitted to the State Superintendent of Education. Failure to follow the plan once approved shall result in immediate state intervention and the subsequent withdrawal of approval. In instances where there are no layoffs due to proration or the school system is in a position of desperate financial need and sufficient other funds are not available from the Public School Fund, local funds, or other sources of revenue, the State Superintendent of Education may allow flexibility through an approved plan to pay for essential services. Before approval of the proposed plan, the state superintendent shall review all existing fund balances, the essential purposes which may only be funded through the flexibility provided as proposed, the economic factors that affect local revenues, and any loss of funding because of a drop in student enrollment. Prior to final approval of any proposed plan, the state superintendent shall assure that the first priority in use of flexibility funds shall be to prevent the loss of personnel.
(Act 2009-407, p. 735, §§2, 4.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 16 - Education. › Chapter 1 - General Provisions. › Section 16-1-41 - Orientation and Training for Members of Local Board of Education.

Section 16-1-41
Orientation and training for members of local board of education.
Each local public board of education shall adopt a policy for the orientation and ongoing training of members of its local board of education.
(Act 2009-297, p. 507, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 16 - Education. › Chapter 1 - General Provisions. › Section 16-1-42 - High School Fast Track to College Program.

Section 16-1-42
High school fast track to college program.
(a) The State Superintendent of Education, the Chancellor of the Department of Postsecondary Education, and the Alabama Commission on Higher Education shall develop a plan for a high school fast track to college program that offers qualified individuals an opportunity to earn a high school diploma while earning credits for a certificate program or an associate's degree.
(b) To be eligible to earn a high school diploma pursuant to this section, an individual shall be either:
(1) Eighteen years of age and not currently enrolled in school.
(2) Between 16 and 18 years of age with consent from an administrator of the high school in which the individual is currently enrolled.
(c) To complete the requirements for a high school diploma pursuant to this section, the individual shall satisfy all graduation requirements as required by law.
(d) The department, in collaboration with the Department of Postsecondary Education and the Alabama Commission on Higher Education shall report to the Legislature on the feasibility of establishing the fast track to college program.
(Act 2009-564, p. 1648, §3.)