The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1) That a parent or guardian in Alabama has a constitutional right to choose the type of K-12 education that is best for his or her child, whether public or nonpublic, religious or nonreligious, and including home-based education.
(2) That many parents choose to home school or enroll their children in elementary and secondary nonpublic schools, including private, church, parochial, or religious schools, that are not subject to state regulation and do not receive state or federal funds.
(3) That other than reporting on the enrollment of students, these nonpublic K-12 schools have been primarily exempt from state regulation and have only been required by state law to report the enrollment of students.
(4) That there is no national or state constitutional mandate that the government provide, license, or regulate nonpublic education, including private, church, parochial, and religious schools, or home-schooled students.
(5) That regulation by the state, including the State Department of Education, the State Board of Education, or the State Superintendent of Education, of any school with a religious affiliation would be an unconstitutional burden on religious activities in direct violation of the Alabama Religious Freedom Amendment and the First Amendment to the United States Constitution; and further that the State of Alabama has no compelling interest to burden by license or regulation nonpublic schools, which include private, church, parochial, and religious schools offering educational instruction in grades K-12, as well as home-based schools and home-schooled students.
Structure Code of Alabama
Chapter 1 - General Provisions.
Section 16-1-2.1 - New School Construction to Include Approved Safe Space or Hallway.
Section 16-1-2.5 - (Effective February 1, 2022) Contracts.
Section 16-1-3 - Photographing or Microphotographing Records - Authorized; Force and Effect.
Section 16-1-5 - Photographing or Microphotographing Records - Intent.
Section 16-1-6 - Association of School Board Members.
Section 16-1-7 - Eye Protective Devices for Pupils and Teachers Participating in Certain Courses.
Section 16-1-8.1 - Classroom Instructional Support.
Section 16-1-10 - Selling, etc., Alcoholic Beverages to School Children; Keeping on School Premises.
Section 16-1-11 - Private Schools to Register and Report;.
Section 16-1-11.1 - Autonomy of Nonpublic Schools - Legislative Findings.
Section 16-1-11.3 - Autonomy of Nonpublic Schools - Applicability of Statutory Requirements.
Section 16-1-11.5 - Teacher Certification.
Section 16-1-11.6 - Membership of Nonpublic Schools in Alabama High School Athletic Association.
Section 16-1-13 - Teaching Pupils of Disparate Ability, Background and Achievement.
Section 16-1-15 - Classification and Grouping of Pupils Upon Consideration of Social Attitudes, Etc.
Section 16-1-16 - Special Courses, Tutoring, Counseling, etc., for Special Groups of Pupils.
Section 16-1-16.1 - Alabama Council on Family and Children.
Section 16-1-17 - Contest of Certain Elections.
Section 16-1-18.1 - Accumulation of Sick Leave.
Section 16-1-18.2 - Payment for Unused Sick Leave Upon Death of Employee.
Section 16-1-20 - Period of Silence for Meditation at Beginning of First Class in Public Schools.
Section 16-1-20.1 - Period of Silence for Meditation.
Section 16-1-20.2 - School Prayer.
Section 16-1-20.3 - Student-Initiated Voluntary Prayer.
Section 16-1-20.4 - Period of Quiet Reflection.
Section 16-1-20.5 - Protection of Student Religious Liberties.
Section 16-1-20.6 - Released Time for Student Participation in Religious Instruction.
Section 16-1-22 - Audit of Certain Institutions.
Section 16-1-23 - Hazing Prohibited; Penalty.
Section 16-1-24.2 - Department of Education to Develop Statewide Violence Prevention Program.
Section 16-1-25.1 - Access by Professional Educators' Associations.
Section 16-1-26 - Compensation of School Board Members.
Section 16-1-27 - Use of Electronic Communication Devices on School Property.
Section 16-1-30 - Written Educational Policies, Rules and Regulations of Local Boards of Education.
Section 16-1-31 - Elective Course Credit for Participation in Ymca Youth and Government Programs.
Section 16-1-32 - Debit Cards; Authorized Uses; Transaction Fees.
Section 16-1-33 - Written Reduction-in-Force Policy.
Section 16-1-35 - Governor's Academic Achievement Program.
Section 16-1-36 - Tutoring Programs for Students Accessed Below Average Sat Scores.
Section 16-1-37 - Issuance of High School Diplomas to Certain Honorably Discharged Veterans.
Section 16-1-39 - Self-Administration of Medications by Student.
Section 16-1-40 - Education Trust Fund Proration Relief.
Section 16-1-41 - Orientation and Training for Members of Local Board of Education.
Section 16-1-41.1 - School Board Governance Improvement.
Section 16-1-42 - High School Fast Track to College Program.
Section 16-1-43 - Waiver of Undergraduate Tuition and Fees for Purple Heart Recipients.
Section 16-1-44 - School Emergency Operations Plans.
Section 16-1-44.1 - School Security Personnel and School Resource Officers.
Section 16-1-44.2 - Electronic Notification System.
Section 16-1-45 - Automated External Defibrillator Requirements.
Section 16-1-46 - Farm-to-School Procurement Processes and Procedures.
Section 16-1-48 - Anaphylaxis Preparedness Program.
Section 16-1-50 - Possession and Use of Over-the-Counter Sunscreen by Students.
Section 16-1-52 - Participation in Athletic Events to Be Based on Biological Sex of Athletes.
Section 16-1-53 - Broadcast of Public K-12 School Sporting Events.