HB 332 Alabama House · 2025 Regular Session

Education, public K-12 schools, completion of approved computer science course required

HB 332 mandates that all students in Alabama's public K-12 schools will be required to complete an approved computer science course for graduation. The bill expands the definition of computer science to include emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, focusing on teaching students to create new technologies. Beginning with the graduating class of 2031, students must earn one credit in a high school-level computer science course. This credit can fulfill requirements for mathematics, science, career and technical education, or an elective, without increasing the total number of credits needed for graduation. The act is set to become effective on October 1, 2025.

Issues: ✓ Education ✓ Technology

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 25, 2025 Last action May 1, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 5 edits · Apr 1, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was amended to change the graduation requirement timeline from 2031-2032 to 2030-2031, add a new career and technical education credit option for computer science courses, and expand the definition of computer science to explicitly include artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. The bill also clarifies that computer science credits can count as elective credits and adds a provision ensuring students on the standard diploma pathway must complete both math and science credits.

Scope change

The bill's applicability remains the same (Alabama public K-12 schools), but the graduation requirement timeline was accelerated by one year.

TIMELINE

The graduation requirement for computer science credits was moved from the 2031-2032 school year to the 2030-2031 school year, accelerating the mandate by one year.

REQUIREMENT

Computer science course credits can now count as career and technical education credits or elective credits, in addition to math and science credits.

Added a provision stating that math and science credits can only be replaced by computer science credits if students are on the standard diploma pathway.

DEFINITION

Expanded the definition of computer science to explicitly include artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, with a focus on creating new technologies rather than just using them.

Added new definitions for 'Computer Science Courses and Content', 'High Quality Professional Learning', and 'High Quality Professional Learning Providers'.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 30, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee Second House

upper

Apr 30, 2025

Introduced

Education Policy 1st Amendment (Education Policy)

upper

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (Education Policy)

upper

Apr 1, 2025

Lower · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 586

lower

Apr 1, 2025

Lower · Passed

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 585

lower

Apr 1, 2025

Introduced

Education Policy Engrossed Substitute Offered (Education Policy)

lower

Mar 19, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin (Education Policy)

lower

Mar 19, 2025

Introduced

Education Policy 1st Amendment (Education Policy)

lower

Feb 25, 2025

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Education Policy)

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors