SB143

By Senator Chesteen

ENROLLED, An Act,

To amend Section 16-46A-1, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to K-12 virtual education, to provide, for the purposes of enrolling in and attending a virtual school operating in this state, that the dependents of a member of the United States Armed Forces shall be considered residents of the state upon the member receiving orders to relocate to Alabama.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:Section 1. Section 16-46A-1 of the Code of Alabama 1975, is amended to read as follows:

§16-46A-1.

"(a)(1) Before the 2016-2017 school year, each local board of education shall adopt a policy providing, at a minimum, a virtual education option for eligible students in grades nine to 12, inclusive, beginning with that school year.

"(2) Any virtual school operating in this state that provides educational services to public school students shall comply with this chapter.

"(b) The policy adopted by the local board of education pursuant to this chapter shall govern the virtual school program offered by the local board of education. The policy shall offer students in grades nine to 12, inclusive, an online pathway for earning a high school diploma and, at a minimum, shall include all of the following:

"(1) The scope and delivery of virtual options.

"(2) Student eligibility criteria for initial and continuing participation in the virtual program.

"(3) Specific requirements for monitoring performance and testing protocol consistent with this chapter.

"(4) Attendance requirements, if any.

"(c) A local board of education shall not be required to utilize a state program or vendor for the provision of virtual school options.

"(d) For the purposes of this chapter, a dependent of a member of the United States Armed Forces who has received orders to relocate in this state shall be considered a resident of this state and the applicable local school system."

Section 2. This act shall become effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.

Board of Education, County

Board of Education, City

Schools

Virtual Schools

Code Amended