As we work to create positive outcomes for our young people in Alabama we still have some laws on the books which work against this goal.
Section 16-28-40 of the Code of Alabama is one such law.
This applies to the suspension of drivers licenses of drivers under the age of 19 years for school non-attendance.
My personal experience as a former career law enforcement officer was that when youth’s have their driving privileges suspended for non-driving related matters it only leads to unnecessary contact with the criminal justice system and many times a path to avoidable negative outcomes.
Many a young officer — which I was at one time — have issued multiple traffic citations to drivers with suspended licenses. The reasons for these vary from suspensions for serious violations such as DUI and Highway Racing to multiple driving infraction point totals.
In 2024 alone 536 traffic citations were issued in Alabama for school non-attendance suspensions.
Accumulated fines, down time for court appearances, and potential vehicle towing fees can set young people back hundreds and possibly thousands of dollars and may take years for them to overcome.
While there are other reasons for drivers license suspension such as non-payment of Child Support, Failure to Appear in court, etc. these items are designed to encourage compliance with court matters. School attendance is already required under Alabama Code 16-28-3 which requires compulsory school attendance from ages 6-17 and holds parents responsible.
However the non-attendance provision in 16-28-40, specifically (a) through (d) punishes students below the age of 19 and puts a number of cumbersome rules on both educators and students for compliance.
While we as a society are working to create a future for our young people in which they can prosper and have a productive life, eliminating unnecessary barriers should also be a goal.
We as Legislators have taken steps in recent years to keep students actively learning in a variety of environments including expanded home school options and the Pathways program in career tech.
Maintaining punitive measures that affect a young persons ability to travel to and from a job is simply unnecessary.
Ron Bolton has served in the Alabama House since 2022, representing District 61, Tuscaloosa and Pickens counties. He serves on the House Agriculture & Forestry, Ethics & Campaign Finance, Public Safety & Homeland Security committees.