While striving for better outcomes for young people in Alabama, there are still some laws that hinder this progress.
One such law is Section 16-28-40 of the Alabama Code.
This law mandates the suspension of driver licenses for individuals under 19 due to school attendance issues.
From my experience as a former law enforcement officer, I often saw young people getting pulled over for not having driving privileges, which unnecessarily dragged them into the criminal justice system and often resulted in negative consequences.
Many young officers I knew would issue several traffic citations to those with suspended licenses for various reasons, from serious offenses like DUI to numerous smaller violations.
In 2024 alone, there were 536 traffic citations issued in Alabama related to school attendance suspensions.
The resulting fines, court appearances, and potential vehicle towing could cost young individuals hundreds or even thousands of dollars, making recovery from these situations challenging.
Other reasons for license suspension, like failure to pay child support or not attending court, are aimed at encouraging compliance with legal obligations. According to Alabama Code 16-28-3, students are already required to attend school from ages 6 to 17.
However, the provisions under 16-28-40 specifically target students under 19, imposing strict compliance rules on both teachers and learners.
As a community, we aim to build a future where young people can flourish and lead successful lives; thus, we should focus on removing unnecessary obstacles.
In recent years, lawmakers have worked to promote various learning environments for students, including more homeschool options and career technology programs.
Continuing punitive measures against the youth doesn’t support their ability to engage in the workforce.
Lombolton has been involved in communities across Alabama since 2022 and represents District 61, covering Tuscaloosa and Pickens counties. He serves on several committees, including Agriculture and Forestry, Ethics and Campaign Finance, and Public Safety & Homeland Security.
