Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Bill SB196 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

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1		-	~~SB196ENGROSSED~~
	1	+	SB196INTRODUCED
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3	3		SB196
4		-	EYLYCC9-2
	4	+	EYLYCC9-1
5	5		By Senator Orr
6	6		RFD: Finance and Taxation Education
7	7		First Read: 25-Feb-25
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	12	+	5 EYLYCC9-1 02/11/2025 GP (L)lg 2025-256
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14	14		First Read: 25-Feb-25
15		-	A BILL
16		-	TO BE ENTITLED
17		-	AN ACT
18		-	Relating to public high school education; to create the
19		-	Move on When Ready Act; to establish a program allowing
20		-	eligible 11th and 12th grade students to take all courses at
21		-	an eligible public institution of higher education and receive
22		-	high school credit for the coursework; to create the Move on
23		-	When Ready Fund and authorize the Chancellor of the Alabama
24		-	Community College System (ACCS) to administer the fund; to
25		-	authorize payment from the fund to a public institution of
26		-	higher education for courses taken pursuant to the program; to
27		-	provide for the calculation of the payment; to prohibit a
28		-	public institution of higher education from charging a student
29		-	for postsecondary coursework taken pursuant to the program; to
30		-	authorize the State Board of Education, in consultation with
31		-	the ACCS Board of Trustees and the Alabama Commission on
32		-	Higher Education's Council of Presidents, to adopt rules; and
33		-	to create criminal penalties for any person who enables a
34		-	public institution of higher education to wrongfully obtain
35		-	payments under this program.
36		-	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
37		-	Section 1. (a) This act shall be known and may be cited
	15	+	SYNOPSIS:
	16	+	Under existing law, a high school student may
	17	+	dual enroll in college courses in certain
	18	+	circumstances.
	19	+	This bill would create the Move on When Ready
	20	+	Act and establish a program allowing eligible 11th and
	21	+	12th grade students admitted unconditionally to an
	22	+	eligible two-year public institution of higher
	23	+	education to take a full schedule of courses at that
	24	+	institution and receive high school credit for the
	25	+	postsecondary coursework.
	26	+	This bill would create the Move on When Ready
	27	+	Fund and authorize the Chancellor of the Alabama
	28	+	Community College System (ACCS) to use the fund to pay
	29	+	a two-year institution of higher education for courses
	30	+	taken pursuant to the program and would provide for the
	31	+	calculation of that funding.
	32	+	This bill would prohibit a two-year institution
	33	+	of higher education from charging a student for
	34	+	postsecondary coursework taken pursuant to the program.
	35	+	This bill would authorize the State Board of
	36	+	Education, in collaboration with the ACCS Board of
	37	+	Trustees, to adopt rules.
	38	+	This bill would also create criminal penalties
	39	+	for any person who enables a two-year institution of
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	67	+	28 SB196 INTRODUCED
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	69	+	for any person who enables a two-year institution of
	70	+	higher education to wrongfully obtain payments under
	71	+	this program.
	72	+	A BILL
	73	+	TO BE ENTITLED
	74	+	AN ACT
	75	+	Relating to public high school education; to create the
	76	+	Move on When Ready Act; to establish a program allowing
	77	+	eligible 11th and 12th grade students to take all courses at
	78	+	an eligible two-year public institution of higher education
	79	+	and receive high school credit for the coursework; to create
	80	+	the Move on When Ready Fund and authorize the Chancellor of
	81	+	the Alabama Community College System (ACCS) to administer the
	82	+	fund; to authorize payment from the fund to a two-year
	83	+	institution of higher education for courses taken pursuant to
	84	+	the program; to provide for the calculation of the payment; to
	85	+	prohibit a two-year institution of higher education from
	86	+	charging a student for postsecondary coursework taken pursuant
	87	+	to the program; to authorize the State Board of Education, in
	88	+	consultation with the ACCS Board of Trustees, to adopt rules;
	89	+	and to create criminal penalties for any person who enables a
	90	+	two-year institution of higher education to wrongfully obtain
	91	+	payments under this program.
	92	+	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
67	93		Section 1. (a) This act shall be known and may be cited
68	94		as the Move on When Ready Act.
69		-	(b) As used in this section, the following words have
70		-	the following meanings:
71		-	(1) ACCS. The Alabama Community College System.
72		-	(2) DEPARTMENT. The State Department of Education.
73		-	(3) ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION or INSTITUTION. Each of the
74		-	following:
75		-	a. Any two-year public institution of higher education
76		-	in the state, including postsecondary technical colleges,
77		-	trade schools, community colleges, and junior colleges.
78		-	b. Any four-year public institution of higher
79		-	education, provided that institution chooses to participate in
80		-	the program.
81		-	(4) ELIGIBLE STUDENT. A student entering 11th or 12th
82		-	grade who spent the prior school year in attendance at a
83		-	public high school in this state who meets the eligibility
84		-	criteria adopted pursuant to this section.
85		-	(5) FUND. The Move on When Ready Fund created by this
86		-	section.
87		-	(6) PROGRAM. The arrangement authorized by this section
88		-	whereby an eligible student takes all of his or her courses,
89		-	as approved by subsection (f), at an eligible institution and
90		-	receives secondary credit from his or her high school with the
91		-	goal of completing graduation and high school diploma
92		-	requirements.
93		-	(7) SECONDARY CREDIT. High school credit for courses
94		-	taken at an eligible institution under the program.
95		-	(8) STATE BOARD. The State Board of Education.
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	124	+	as the Move on When Ready Act.
	125	+	(b) As used in this section, the following words have
	126	+	the following meanings:
	127	+	(1) ACCS. The Alabama Community College System.
	128	+	(2) DEPARTMENT. The State Department of Education.
	129	+	(3) ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION or INSTITUTION. Any two-year
	130	+	public institution of higher education in the state, including
	131	+	postsecondary technical colleges, trade schools, community
	132	+	colleges, and junior colleges.
	133	+	(4) ELIGIBLE STUDENT. A student entering 11th or 12th
	134	+	grade who spent the prior school year in attendance at a
	135	+	public high school in this state who meets the eligibility
	136	+	criteria adopted pursuant to this section.
	137	+	(5) FUND. The Move on When Ready Fund created by this
	138	+	section.
	139	+	(6) PROGRAM. The arrangement authorized by this section
	140	+	whereby an eligible student takes all of his or her courses,
	141	+	as approved by subsection (f), at an eligible institution and
	142	+	receives secondary credit from his or her high school with the
	143	+	goal of completing graduation and high school diploma
	144	+	requirements.
	145	+	(7) SECONDARY CREDIT. High school credit for courses
	146	+	taken at an eligible institution under the program.
125	147		(8) STATE BOARD. The State Board of Education.
126	148		(c)(1) Any eligible student may apply to an eligible
127	149		institution to take courses at that institution which are
128	150		approved for secondary academic credit pursuant to subsection
129	151		(f). If accepted at an eligible institution, an eligible
130	152		student may take any approved course at that institution,
131		-	whether or not the course is taught during the regular public
132		-	school day, and receive secondary credit. While taking courses
133		-	at an eligible institution, a student shall be considered a
134		-	student of that institution and may not take any courses at
135		-	his or her high school. An eligible institution that accepts
136		-	an eligible student under the program may not receive any
137		-	state funds for that student unless the institution complies
138		-	with the requirements of this section.
139		-	(2) Nothing in this section shall affect or otherwise
140		-	replace any existing law or funding from the Legislature
141		-	relating to dual enrollment practices as of October 1, 2024.
142		-	(d) Except as otherwise provided, the state board shall
143		-	consult with the Board of Trustees of ACCS and the Alabama
144		-	Commission on Higher Education's Council of Presidents in
145		-	developing and adopting rules regarding the program,
146		-	including, but not limited to:
147		-	(1) Eligibility criteria for program participation,
148		-	including applicable state and federal testing requirements
149		-	for eligible students participating in the program; and
150		-	(2) The development of appropriate forms and counseling
151		-	guidelines for the program.
152		-	(e)(1) No later than April 1 of each year, each local
153		-	board of education shall provide general information about the
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	182	+	student may take any approved course at that institution,
	183	+	whether or not the course is taught during the regular public
	184	+	school day, and receive secondary credit. While taking courses
	185	+	at an eligible institution, a student shall be considered a
	186	+	student of that institution and may not take any courses at
	187	+	his or her high school. An eligible institution that accepts
	188	+	an eligible student under the program may not receive any
	189	+	state funds for that student unless the institution complies
	190	+	with the requirements of this section.
	191	+	(2) Nothing in this section shall affect or otherwise
	192	+	replace any existing law or funding from the Legislature
	193	+	relating to dual enrollment practices as of October 1, 2024.
	194	+	(d) Except as otherwise provided, the state board shall
	195	+	consult with the Board of Trustees of ACCS in developing and
	196	+	adopting rules regarding the program, including, but not
	197	+	limited to:
	198	+	(1) Eligibility criteria for program participation,
	199	+	including applicable state and federal testing requirements
	200	+	for eligible students participating in the program; and
	201	+	(2) The development of appropriate forms and counseling
	202	+	guidelines for the program.
	203	+	(e)(1) No later than April 1 of each year, each local
183	204		board of education shall provide general information about the
184	205		program, including the appropriate forms, to all 10th and 11th
185	206		grade students in the district. The state board shall make the
186	207		appropriate forms and guidelines available to all local boards
187	208		of education and eligible institutions.
188	209		(2) Each local board of education shall also provide
189	210		counseling services in accordance with the counseling
190		-	guidelines to its students and their parents or guardians
191		-	before a student may enroll in the program. Prior to
192		-	participating in the program, a student and his or her parent
193		-	or guardian shall sign the form provided by the local board of
194		-	education, or by an eligible institution, stating that they
195		-	have received the counseling specified in this subsection and
196		-	that they understand the responsibilities that shall be
197		-	assumed in participating in the program.
198		-	(f)(1)a. Each local board of education shall grant
199		-	academic credit to an eligible student enrolled in a course at
200		-	an eligible institution if that course has been approved
201		-	pursuant to paragraph b. and if the student successfully
202		-	completes that course.
203		-	b. The state board and representatives of each
204		-	participating eligible institution shall collaborate to
205		-	approve courses for inclusion in the program. Any course that
206		-	is substantially comparable to a high school course approved
207		-	by the state board, other than a remedial or summer school
208		-	course, shall be approved. Co-requisite courses may be
209		-	approved for inclusion the program, provided that a student
210		-	may only receive one secondary credit for the completion of
211		-	both the co-requisite course and the companion college-level
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	238	+	112 SB196 INTRODUCED
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241		-	both the co-requisite course and the companion college-level
242		-	course.
	240	+	counseling services in accordance with the counseling
	241	+	guidelines to its students and their parents or guardians
	242	+	before a student may enroll in the program. Prior to
	243	+	participating in the program, a student and his or her parent
	244	+	or guardian shall sign the form provided by the local board of
	245	+	education, or by an eligible institution, stating that they
	246	+	have received the counseling specified in this subsection and
	247	+	that they understand the responsibilities that shall be
	248	+	assumed in participating in the program.
	249	+	(f)(1)a. Each local board of education shall grant
	250	+	academic credit to an eligible student enrolled in a course at
	251	+	an eligible institution if that course has been approved
	252	+	pursuant to paragraph b. and if the student successfully
	253	+	completes that course.
	254	+	b. The state board and the ACCS Board of Trustees shall
	255	+	collaborate to approve courses for inclusion in the program.
	256	+	Any course that is substantially comparable to a high school
	257	+	course approved by the state board, other than a remedial or
	258	+	summer school course, shall be approved. Co-requisite courses
	259	+	may be approved for inclusion the program, provided that a
	260	+	student may only receive one secondary credit for the
	261	+	completion of both the co-requisite course and the companion
	262	+	college-level course.
243	263		c. The secondary credit granted shall be for the
244	264		comparable high school course.
245	265		(2) Secondary school credits granted for eligible
246	266		institution courses shall be counted toward graduation
247	267		requirements and subject area requirements of the local board
248	268		of education. Evidence of successful completion of each course
249		-	and secondary credits granted shall be included in the
250		-	eligible student's high school transcript. Secondary credit
251		-	for postsecondary courses shall be awarded in the same manner
252		-	as credits for dual enrollment courses.
253		-	(4) The state board shall establish rules to require
254		-	local boards of education to award a high school diploma to
255		-	any eligible student who is enrolled at an eligible
256		-	institution under the program, provided that: (i) the credit
257		-	earned at the institution satisfies course requirements needed
258		-	for the eligible student to complete high school graduation;
259		-	and (ii) the student is exempt from any state assessment
260		-	requirements that he or she would have been required to
261		-	complete as a junior or senior.
262		-	(g)(1) The Move on When Ready Fund is created within
263		-	the State Treasury. The Executive Director of the Alabama
264		-	Commission on Higher Education shall administer the fund. The
265		-	executive director shall use the fund to pay eligible
266		-	institutions the lesser of the following amounts for each
267		-	participating eligible student enrolled therein, less a
268		-	records fee of two hundred dollars ($200) for the
269		-	administration costs of the local board of education:
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	296	+	140 SB196 INTRODUCED
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299		-	administration costs of the local board of education:
	298	+	of education. Evidence of successful completion of each course
	299	+	and secondary credits granted shall be included in the
	300	+	eligible student's high school transcript. Secondary credit
	301	+	for postsecondary courses shall be awarded in the same manner
	302	+	as credits for dual enrollment courses.
	303	+	(4) The state board shall establish rules to require
	304	+	local boards of education to award a high school diploma to
	305	+	any eligible student who is enrolled at an eligible
	306	+	institution under the program, provided that: (i) the credit
	307	+	earned at the institution satisfies course requirements needed
	308	+	for the eligible student to complete high school graduation;
	309	+	and (ii) the student is exempt from any state assessment
	310	+	requirements that he or she would have been required to
	311	+	complete as a junior or senior.
	312	+	(g)(1) The Move on When Ready Fund is created within
	313	+	the State Treasury. The Chancellor of the Alabama Community
	314	+	College System shall administer the fund. The chancellor shall
	315	+	use the fund to pay eligible institutions the lesser of the
	316	+	following amounts for each participating eligible student
	317	+	enrolled therein, less a records fee of two hundred dollars
	318	+	($200) for the administration costs of the local board of
	319	+	education:
300	320		a. The actual cost of tuition, materials, and fees
301	321		directly related to the courses taken by the eligible student
302	322		at the institution; or
303	323		b. The amount that the participating eligible student
304	324		would have earned if he or she had been in equivalent
305	325		instructional programs through the local board of education,
306	326		calculated pursuant to subdivision (2).
307		-	(2) The total allotment of funds to the local board of
308		-	education in which a participating student is enrolled at an
309		-	eligible institution shall be calculated as otherwise provided
310		-	in Title 16, Code of Alabama 1975, provided that during the
311		-	student's second year in the program, the calculation shall
312		-	include an ensuing reduction equivalent to the amount paid
313		-	from the fund to the eligible institution pursuant to this
314		-	subsection.
315		-	(3) The records fee contained in subdivision (1) may be
316		-	increased at the sole discretion of the state board by up to
317		-	four percent annually.
318		-	(4) Any monies appropriated shall be budgeted and
319		-	allotted pursuant to the Budget Management Act in accordance
320		-	with Article 4, commencing with Section 41-4-80 of Chapter 4
321		-	of Title 41, Code of Alabama 1975, and only in the amounts
322		-	provided by the Legislature in the general appropriations act
323		-	or other appropriations act.
324		-	(h) A student enrolled in an eligible institution for
325		-	secondary credit shall not be eligible for any other state
326		-	student financial aid for courses taken under the program.
327		-	(i) An eligible institution may not charge an eligible
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	356	+	calculated pursuant to subdivision (2).
	357	+	(2) The total allotment of funds to the local board of
	358	+	education in which a participating student is enrolled at an
	359	+	eligible institution shall be calculated as otherwise provided
	360	+	in Title 16, Code of Alabama 1975, provided that during the
	361	+	student's second year in the program, the calculation shall
	362	+	include an ensuing reduction equivalent to the amount paid
	363	+	from the fund to the eligible institution pursuant to this
	364	+	subsection.
	365	+	(3) The records fee contained in subdivision (1) may be
	366	+	increased at the sole discretion of the state board by up to
	367	+	four percent annually.
	368	+	(4) Any monies appropriated shall be budgeted and
	369	+	allotted pursuant to the Budget Management Act in accordance
	370	+	with Article 4, commencing with Section 41-4-80 of Chapter 4
	371	+	of Title 41, Code of Alabama 1975, and only in the amounts
	372	+	provided by the Legislature in the general appropriations act
	373	+	or other appropriations act.
	374	+	(h) A student enrolled in an eligible institution for
	375	+	secondary credit shall not be eligible for any other state
	376	+	student financial aid for courses taken under the program.
357	377		(i) An eligible institution may not charge an eligible
358	378		student for coursework taken pursuant to this program and
359	379		shall accept the payment made pursuant to subsection (g) as
360	380		full payment for the eligible student.
361	381		(j) Any person who knowingly makes or furnishes any
362	382		false statement or misrepresentation, or who accepts a
363	383		statement or misrepresentation knowing it to be false, for the
364	384		purpose of enabling an eligible institution to obtain
365		-	wrongfully any payment under this section shall be guilty of a
366		-	misdemeanor.
367		-	Section 2. This act shall become effective on July 1,
368		-	2026.
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381		-	2026.
382		-	Senate
383		-	Read for the first time and referred
384		-	to the Senate committee on Finance
385		-	and Taxation Education
386		-	................25-Feb-25
387		-	Read for the second time and placed
388		-	on the calendar:
389		-	0 amendments
390		-	................27-Feb-25
391		-	Read for the third time and passed
392		-	as amended
393		-	Yeas 27
394		-	Nays 0
395		-	Abstains 0
396		-	................09-Apr-25
397		-	Patrick Harris,
398		-	Secretary.
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	414	+	purpose of enabling an eligible institution to obtain
	415	+	wrongfully any payment under this section shall be guilty of a
	416	+	misdemeanor.
	417	+	Section 2. This act shall become effective on October
	418	+	1, 2025.
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