As the legislation session continues to move forward, we are at the State House every day of session to represent churches and keep Christians updated with the latest info. Below are some of the key pieces of legislation we are watching.
Legislation ALCAP is Monitoring
| Prison Reform and Accountability (SB 316): This bill by Sen. Larry Stutts (Tuscumbia) creates a new Prison Oversight Coordinator to regularly inspect Alabama prisons and monitor inmate treatment, safety, staffing, and rehabilitation programs. It establishes a Corrections Oversight Board to review findings, hold public hearings, and increase transparency and accountability. The bill protects inmates, staff, and others from retaliation for reporting concerns. Click the Priority Talk interview below to hear Senator Stutts shares the influence of scriptural truth on his decision to introduce this legislation, as well as what he hopes this legislation will accomplish in Alabama. Status: SB 316 was introduced on February 19th and referred to the Senate Judiciary committee. |
App Store Age Verification (HB161): This bill by Rep. Chris Sells (Greenville) and carried by Sen. Clyde Chambliss (Prattville) in the Senate, requires app stores to implement age verification and parental consent before minors can download apps.
Status: HB 161 passed the House floor unanimously on the 21st. It was then passed out of the Senate Children and Youth Health committee on January 28th, and passed the Senate floor on February 5th. The House concurred with the Senate changes, and the bill was signed by Governor Ivey on February 19th.
| 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. To hear more about this bill and it’s constitutional and historical significance, click below to hear an interview with former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Champ Lyons! Status: HB 216 was referred to the House Committee on Education Policy on January 14th. SB 99 was Refereed to the Senate Education Policy committee on January 13th, reported out of committee on February 11th, and currently awaits a Senate floor vote. |
Post Classroom Materials Online (HB 246): Under existing law, public K-12 schools are required to post adopted classroom curricula online for review by parents and guardians. This bill by Rep. Susan Dubose (Hoover) would require schools to offer an alternative method for the review of copyrighted materials by parents and guardians.
Status: The bill was referred to the House Education Policy committee on January 14th.
Religious Release Time for Students (SB 248): SB248, by Senator Shay Shelnutt (Trussville), gives parents the freedom to have their public school children participate in off-campus religious instruction during the school day. Students may earn elective credit for taking part in these programs. The programs are run and funded by local religious organizations. We are especially excited about the potential of this bill as a unique opportunity for churches to minister to students across our state through elective school credit.
Status: The bill was introduced on February 3rd, and passed the Senate Education Policy committee on the 11th. The bill passed the Senate with broad support on February 19th and now heads to the House Education Policy committee.
Sex Education Bill (SB 209): Also by Senator Shelnutt, this bill requires Alabama public K-12 schools to teach sex education exclusively through a sexual risk avoidance (abstinence-focused) framework. It also mandates parental notice and opt-out rights, bars schools from using outside providers that do not support abstinence or are connected to abortion services
Status: The bill was introduced to the Senate Education Policy committee on January 27th and reported out of committee on February 11th. It passed the Senate floor on February 19th, and has now been sent to the House Education Policy committee.
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 now heads to the House floor for consideration by the whole body.
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. In the Senate, Senator Chris Elliott (Josephine) has agreed to help move the bill forward as well. To hear more about this issue, and recent example from Minnesota, check out the podcast below. Also take a look at the interview below where Southeast Law Institute attorney and ALCAP board member Eric Johnston joins Tony Perkins on Washington Watch to discuss the legislation.
Status: The bill was introduced in the House on January 29th and passed the Public Safety and Homeland Security committee on February 5th, it then passed the House Judiciary committee on the 18th, and now goes to the full House floor.
School Chaplains (HB 8/SB 305): These companion bills by Rep. Mark Gidley (Gadsden) and Sen. Rodger Smitherman (Birmingham) would authorize each local boards of education to vote on whether to accept a campus chaplain as a volunteer to provide services at the request of a teacher.
Status: HB 8 passed out of the House Education Policy committee on February 4th and awaits a full vote on the House floor. SB 305 was referred to the Senate Education Policy committee on February 12th, and made it out of committee on the 18th. It now goes to whole Senate floor for consideration.