We are excited to several more important pieces of legislation moving. This week, we have seen a lot of bills moving in the areas of public prayer, as well as religious liberty and freedom of worship. At this stage of legislative session, many bills are now moving from their originating house to the other house. Such as from the House to the Senate or from the Senate to the House. At this stage in process, it becomes more and more clear what bills have the highest chance of final passage. Check out the content below for some key examples of bills with good movement forward!
Legislation ALCAP is Monitoring
| Protection from Non-Consensual Illicit Images (HB 347): This bill by Rep. Ben Harrison (Cartwright) would let people sue tech companies in certain situations, especially if harmful images were carelessly made or shared for money or through public “nudification” apps. It would also require websites and apps to have a clear way to remove illegal images, allow victims to take legal action, give the Attorney General power to enforce the law, and set penalties for breaking Status: The bill passed the House Judiciary on February 11th, and passed the entire House of Representatives on March 3rd. It now heads to the Senate 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: HB 216 was reported out of the House Committee on Education Policy on March 4th, and then put on the calendar for a House floor vote, only to be re-referred back to committee in the Judiciary committee. We are hopeful this legislation continues to move forward. 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.
Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance (HB 43): 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 January 13th in the House committee on Education Policy, reported out of committee on March 4th, and currently awaits a House floor vote.
Prohibiting the Disruption of a Worship Service (HB 363): This bill by Rep. Greg Barnes (Jasper) creates a specific offense for intentionally disrupting a church worship service or harassing worshippers, including actions on church property meant to block entry or exit. Violators would be charged with disruption of a worship service.
Status: The bill was introduced in the House on January 29th and passed the House floor on February 24th. It passed out of the Senate Committee on County and Municipal Government on March 4th, and Sen Chris Elliott moved it forward to the Senate floor, where it currently awaits a vote.
