AlabamaAlabama schools excuse students for signing day ceremonies
Starting October 1, 2026, Alabama schools must excuse students who sign commitment letters during class at National Signing Day activities and provide reasonable accommodations.
What it does
Schools must excuse students who sign commitment letters during class at organized National Signing Day activities for sports scholarships, college, apprenticeships, or military service.
Schools must provide reasonable accommodations, including a space with internet access and seating that does not interfere with instruction. Guests may attend under local board policy.
Argument forStudents signing commitment letters could join school ceremonies for sports scholarships, college, apprenticeships, or military service without missing class.
Argument againstSchools may need to set aside space during class time for these events, which could make it harder to keep activities from disrupting instruction.
More detail
Schools must excuse students who sign commitment letters during class at organized National Signing Day activities. This applies to high school students who sign commitment letters at school during instructional time as part of organized National Signing Day activities. The activity must relate to an athletic scholarship, a college or university commitment, an apprenticeship program, or military enlistment. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
Schools must provide reasonable accommodations for these activities. These rules apply to the National Signing Day activities described in the law. Accommodations must include a space with internet access and seating that does not interfere with instruction. Guests may attend only as allowed by local school board policy. A principal may excuse other students to attend. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 17EnactedBecame Law
- Apr 8Signature Requested
- Apr 8Delivered to GovernorTo Governor
- Apr 7Third Reading in Second House
- Vote recorded Third Reading in Second House. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1212. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Robertson Motion to Concur In and Adopt Senate Amendment - Adopted Roll Call 1255. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Kelley motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1211. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 7Education Policy 1st Amendment Offered (Education Policy)Minor
- Apr 7Kelley motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1211Major
- Apr 7Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1212Passed Senate
- Apr 7Robertson Motion to Concur In and Adopt Senate Amendment - Adopted Roll Call 1255Major
- Apr 7Ready to Enroll
- Apr 7Enrolled
- Mar 11Education Policy 1st Amendment (Education Policy)
- Mar 11Reported Out of Committee Second House
- Mar 11Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Education Policy)Minor
- Mar 3Third Reading in House of Origin
- Vote recorded Third Reading in House of Origin. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 702. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 701. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 3Collins 1st Substitute OfferedMinor
- Mar 3Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 701Major
- Mar 3Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 702Passed House
- Mar 3Engrossed
- Mar 3Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Education PolicyMinor
- Mar 3Pending Committee Action in Second House (Education Policy)
- Feb 25Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
- Feb 25Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Education Policy)Minor
- Jan 13Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Education PolicyMinor
- Jan 13Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Education Policy)
- 2025
- Dec 2FiledIntroduced
Education