Section 16-36-65

Use of statewide textbook contracts.

(a) Upon receipt of requisitions from the State Superintendent of Education, the state Purchasing Agent shall, in accordance with existing statutes and procedures governing state purchases, issue statewide purchase contracts upon which local boards of education shall issue local purchase orders to the publishers who shall ship the books ordered to the local board of education, shipping charges prepaid.

(b) The State Department of Education in conjunction with the state Purchasing Agent shall furnish contracts from which state-adopted textbooks for the pupils and teachers in classrooms and schools operated under the jurisdiction and supervision of the Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation can be purchased. These purchases shall be made from appropriations to the state Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation. The State Board of Education may make and enforce regulations for the proper care and accounting for such textbooks.

(c) The State Department of Education in conjunction with the state Purchasing Agent shall furnish contracts from which state-adopted textbooks for the pupils and teachers in classrooms and schools operated under the jurisdiction of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind can be purchased. These purchases shall be made from appropriations to the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind. The State Board of Education may make and enforce regulations for the proper care and accounting for these textbooks and shall not be required to purchase and furnish special books or materials for the deaf and blind.

(d) The State Department of Education in conjunction with the state Purchasing Agent shall furnish contracts from which state-adopted textbooks for the pupils and teachers in classrooms and schools operated by the Department of Youth Services can be purchased. The cost of the textbooks provided herein shall be paid from appropriations to the Department of Youth Services. The State Board of Education may make and enforce regulations for the proper care and accounting for these textbooks and shall not be required to purchase and furnish any special books or materials under this section.

(e) The State Board of Education shall have no power or authority to enter into any contract or arrangement for furnishing textbooks or providing a depository for textbooks or delivering textbooks.

(Act 98-320, p. 544, §6.)