Taylor's Law
Taylor's Law
Taylor’s Law is an Alabama law that connects certain school disciplinary actions to when a student may become eligible for a learner’s permit, driver’s license, or other covered license.
Who Does It Apply To?
Taylor’s Law applies to students over age 12 who are enrolled in a public or private secondary school in Alabama.
Points begin accumulating during the school year, including summer school, in which a student turns 13.
How Are Points Assigned?
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1 day of in-school suspension: 1 point
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1 day of out-of-school suspension: 2 points
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Alternative school placement: 6 points
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Expulsion: 20 points
Each accumulated point may delay eligibility for a covered license or permit by one additional week, subject to limits in Alabama law.
Important Exceptions
For in-school suspension, the first three days generally do not result in points. If a student reaches a fourth day during the same school year, all applicable days may be counted.
For out-of-school suspension, an initial suspension of two days or fewer generally does not result in points at that time. If another suspension occurs during the same school year, the earlier days may also be counted.
Can Points Be Reduced?
Yes.
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After one school year with no new points, accumulated points are reduced by half.
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After two years with no new points, the record of accumulated points is removed as provided by law.
What Parents Should Do
Families can help by reviewing school expectations with their student, talking about how disciplinary choices may have long-term consequences, and contacting the school early when concerns arise.
If your student receives a disciplinary consequence and you have questions about how Taylor’s Law may apply, please contact your student’s school administration.
Thank you for partnering with us to support positive choices, student growth, and school success.
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Alabama Code Title 32. Motor Vehicles and Traffic § 32-6-7.4
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, each student over the age of 12 years who is enrolled in a public or private secondary school shall be subject to a disciplinary point system for an infraction committed on school property to determine the age at which the student shall be allowed to apply for a learner's permit, motor driven cycle operator's license, driver's license, or any license required by the State of Alabama for the operation of a motor vehicle or vessel. The disciplinary points imposed for a disciplinary action shall be as follows:
(1) One day in-school suspension -- 1 point.
(2) One day out-of-school suspension -- 2 points.
(3) Alternative school placement -- 6 points.
(4) Expulsion -- 20 points.
(b)(1) The points shall accumulate on a yearly basis, beginning with the school year including summer school in which the student turns 13, and accumulate each year until the student is eligible to apply for a driver's license under the imposed point system. Each accumulated point shall add one additional week to the age at which the student is eligible to be issued a learner's permit, motor driven cycle operator's license, or driver's license.
(2) Notwithstanding subdivision (1), the age at which a student may apply for a license or permit shall not be extended by Act 2009-713 beyond one year from the date the student initially applies for a learner's permit, motor driven cycle operator's license, driver's license, or any license required by the State of Alabama for the operation of a motor vehicle or vessel.
(c) The following subdivisions are contingent upon the technical capability of the student data management system to track, manage, and coordinate the data:
(1) Points shall be accrued on a school-year basis.
(2) Points may not accrue for the first three days of in-school suspension in any school year; however, beginning with the fourth day of suspension in any school year, all days, including the first three, of in-school suspension shall be counted in determining the points.
(3) Points may not accrue for an initial out-of-school suspension of two days or less in any school year; however, the days of the initial suspension shall be used to determine the points after a second out-of-school suspension in any school year or all days will be used to determine points if the initial suspension exceeds two days.
(4) Accumulated points shall be reduced by one-half if the student has not received additional accumulated points for one school year. If no additional points are received for two years, all records of the accumulated points shall be removed from the student's records at the school.