The legislative session is now starting to wind down and most bills have moved much further in the process. We anticipate this should be a great session for Christian and family values in Alabama and are optimistic that several priority bills will make it to being signed into law. But the process is not over yet! Take a look below at some bills that are continuing to move, and stay tuned for further updates.
Legislation ALCAP is Monitoring
Child Support from Conception (SB 47): This bill by Sen. Merika Coleman (Birmingham) requires that if a child-support order is established within the first year after a child’s birth, it may be made retroactive to cover up to nine months before the child was born. This bill has a strong pro-life message that every child is precious and worthy of support from the moment of conception.
Status: SB 47 was introduced in the Senate on January 13th, passed the Judiciary committee on February 18th, it passed the Senate floor on March 12th, and now awaits movement in the House Judiciary committee.
The Ten Commandments in Schools (HB 216/SB 99): The companion House and Senate bills sponsored by Rep. Mark Gidley (Gadsden) and Sen. Keith Kelley (Weaver) would require Alabama public schools to post the Ten Commandments with a historical explanation in certain middle and high school classrooms and common areas. Schools would only have to do this if the posters or the money to buy them are donated.
Status: SB 99 was referred to the Senate Education Policy committee on January 13th, reported out of committee on February 11th, and currently awaits a Senate floor vote. We encourage our readers to call your state Senator and ask for this bill to move! HB 216 was reported out of the House Committee on Education Policy on March 4th, reported out of the Judiciary committee on March 18th, and currently awaits a House floor vote. We are hopeful this legislation continues to move forward.
Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance (HB 511): This bill by Rep. Reed Ingram proposes a constitutional amendment requiring public K-12 schools to conduct The Pledge of Allegiance at the start of each school day it also requires local school boards to vote on whether to allow voluntary daily prayer and Bible or other religious text readings with written consent.
Status: The bill was introduced on February 25th in the House committee on State Government, reported out of committee on March 4th, passed the House floor on March 10th. It then went on to the Senate Education Policy Committee and passed committee on March 17th. It now awaits a vote on the Senate floor. This is one of the final steps in the process!
Parental Fundamental Rights (HB 148): This bill by Rep . Kenneth Paschal proposes a constitutional amendment to establish that parents have a fundamental right to direct the education, upbringing, care, custody, and control of their children. The amendment would elevate existing statutory protections for parental rights into the Alabama Constitution.
Status: The bill was introduced on January 13th in the House Judiciary committee and reported out of committee on March 18th.
Prohibiting Female Genital Mutilation (HB 644): This bill by Rep. Prince Chestnut (Selma) establishes the crime of female genital mutilation in Alabama, defining it as various nonmedical procedures performed on females under 19 years old. It makes committing, facilitating, or transporting a minor for such to be a Class B felony and states that minors cannot legally consent.
Status: The bill was introduced on March 19th in the House Judiciary committee.
