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What is the Taylor's Law in Alabama?

Published in Alabama Education Law 2 mins read

In Alabama, Taylor's Law, officially known as Act 2009-713, is a state law designed to connect a student's school disciplinary record with their eligibility for obtaining a learner's permit to drive.

Understanding Taylor's Law

Taylor's Law establishes a direct consequence for disciplinary actions taken against students within the school environment, linking classroom behavior to future driving privileges. It is formally referenced on documents such as the Enrollment/Exclusion form as relating to the "Total Number of Disciplinary Points imposed in school for disciplinary action."

How Does Taylor's Law Impact Students?

The core mechanism of Taylor's Law is straightforward:

  • Disciplinary Points: When a student receives disciplinary action in school, points are accumulated. The exact number of points assigned per disciplinary incident would be outlined in specific school district policies, consistent with state guidelines.
  • Learner's Permit Eligibility: Each point accumulated by a student due to disciplinary action has a direct impact on their ability to obtain a learner's permit.
  • Time Extension: For every disciplinary point a student accumulates, one additional week is added to the age at which they are eligible to be issued a learner's permit. This means that a student with disciplinary points will have to wait longer than the standard age requirement before they can apply for their permit.

This law serves as a measure to encourage responsible behavior in schools by adding a significant consequence that extends beyond the school premises and directly affects a student's path to driving independence.

Key Aspects of Act 2009-713

Taylor's Law underscores the importance of maintaining good conduct and discipline during a student's formative years. It acts as a preventive measure, aiming to instill a sense of accountability by linking privileges like driving with a student's adherence to school rules and regulations.