[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6616169,"mediaKeyId","2853839-cc49141f48c5dfe522403c71fb826400","parentId",2853839,"title","Committee hears HB246, a bill to restrict use of names and pronouns inconsistent with legal name or biological sex","audioSeconds",4472,"startMs",4478000,"endMs",5581,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2853839-cc49141f48c5dfe522403c71fb826400&start=4478&end=5","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2853839-cc49141f48c5dfe522403c71fb826400/thumbnail_4478000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6616169/Alabama/Committee-hears-HB246-a-bill-to-restrict-use-of-names-and-pronouns-inconsistent-with-legal-name-or-biological-sex","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616169-b4429b21b0d0c44bd2edde4bae448bbc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770913948&Signature=hsQhN4f-0C5Vlqyw5oeEZrPOmenC0ZzsjgAITRfLblZheDCQ4LalAzNBwM2xDhrWLBU2hoA9t648guzuKWKWxsrA9Ik390dqggcieIbMWjK4ZTKkPAOdwNcPCJnG~puSzsa9OUC3CGx0~D5R2WfSLN9XhCjCfXNNqkn4x2wt8~AvGjrAKQl0IaAOF0en3SdWC9388uMQ6B7cW-75PZ6MbrLivq9PGxjNg5237Dc6IjNcXAPBTF0cLdXvheAHgp~dLtOUjxZq2Eop-CeCmujzhcTF1PqWKgKftRI4xCO~n-qt9FFDWc4HziG06Y-ppLP-fDVWY7bjnpEKOfVVrfP3cQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alabama House Sessions","date","2025-04-02T19:56:37.44Z","article","Representative Stadhagen described House Bill 246 as a measure that would prohibit public school and public higher‑education employees from using names and pronouns inconsistent with a student’s legal name or biological sex without written parental permission. \"That is it in a nutshell,\" the sponsor said.

Public comment included educators, students, medical professionals and advocacy groups. Opponents argued the bill would create administrative burdens and legal risks for teachers and institutions. Dr. Paige Gant, a university instructor, said she had not encountered cases in eight years of teaching that would have required such a law and warned it could expose teachers to unnecessary lawsuits. \"This bill is a solution in search of a problem,\" she told the committee.

Speakers highlighted practical issues such as nicknames and students who use anglicized names for ease of pronunciation; opponents said requiring parental permission slips would be an unnecessary burden and could place privacy‑sensitive students at risk. One commenter noted that a student who goes by an English nickname would be prevented from being addressed by that name unless a permission slip was on file.

Proponents argued the bill protects staff and students who object to using a name or pronoun they believe is inaccurate. Matt Sharp of Alliance Defending Freedom and John Idzmo of the Foundation for Moral Law argued that the First Amendment protects employees from being compelled to speak words they believe are false, and they cited cases in other jurisdictions where teachers or professors faced discipline for refusing to use preferred pronouns.

Several opponents also raised equity and safety concerns: students already face burdens of paperwork and teachers have many responsibilities; adding a permission slip system could complicate classroom management. Representative Stadhagen said he would prepare a substitute and asked the committee to consider it at the next meeting.

Why it matters: HB 246 would affect classroom interactions and campus visits at public K‑12 schools and public higher‑education institutions. Opponents say it creates administrative burdens and privacy risks for students; proponents frame it as protecting employee conscience rights and parental authority.

Next steps: the sponsor said he will file a substitute and the committee will take up the bill at a subsequent meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Alabama House Education Policy Committee","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 246 would require written parental permission before public‑school or public‑college employees could use names or pronouns inconsistent with a student’s legal name or biological sex, the sponsor told the Education Policy Committee.","taxTitle","Education Policy, House, Alabama Legislative Sessions, Alabama","taxId",15594,"location","Alabama","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6616185,"Alabama committee debates making religious release program mandatory for school districts",1508,884000,2392000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2853839-cc49141f48c5dfe522403c71fb826400&start=884&end=2392","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2853839-cc49141f48c5dfe522403c71fb826400/thumbnail_884000.jpg","/articles/6616185/Alabama/Alabama-committee-debates-making-religious-release-program-mandatory-for-school-districts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616185-7919d82bdd7a553762db559c9d852470/orig.mp4?Expires=1770913948&Signature=khYljKGtMY0NqHVvEUVLPcPl8U5O7Urm1gmf7q-Hs0Ff2kMaP~pfvELgvOfn4xZWoig33kZgBB3dJrUDkpbZ~~2NsjPVFOx~gaezOMFJxstxksOUQ5P098tGqmwK4j~xXnCje8a~qYRt6SBe-WRwTuZWUajfIRlYrBqiDKpeNZmX4wY~6rsnT0RcLNcjKbFkpWqO8wQiAYYonk4E07e4RBTkvs6yQaQNwbS5fhW3fEGonguu~zUgJ3U6fJ3e7DDO8Di-Uv4g~xm411W8swMMSfjw-lO3FYG8cPkokxgC0s2b36Fkb1xZUlpvNbdxEpUhFQ-deTDMUbOb2SROdGBAfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Terri DeBose, sponsor of House Bill 342, told the House Education Policy Committee that the bill would require school districts to adopt local policies to allow off‑campus religious instruction during the school day, a practice she said the U.S. Supreme Court upheld in a 1952 ruling. “Credits are optional. That will be decided by the school district,” Representative DeBose said, adding that parents must sign authorizations, nonprofit providers must accept liability and provide transportation, instruction must take place off public property and no public funds may be used.

The bill’s sponsor said 12 Alabama districts currently offer a religious release program and that about 4,000 parents across the state have signed petitions asking for the program in districts that do not. “We don’t feel like parents should have to go and fight the school board for a program that’s constitutionally allowed by the U.S. Supreme Court,” DeBose said.

Supporters framed the bill as preserving parental choice and local flexibility. Representative Paschall, who moved a favorable report, said recent amendments preserve local control and allow districts to tailor a schedule that fits each system. Representative Gidley seconded the motion.

Opponents and some committee members raised practical concerns about scheduling, instructional time and local capacity. Representative Gray asked whether the bill would force districts to move programs currently held on campus to off‑campus locations; DeBose replied that the program the bill addresses is off campus and is distinct from other voluntary on‑campus programs. Representative Drummond and Representative Ross highlighted the logistics for elementary schools, noting that walking a single child to an off‑campus location could take significant classroom time. “If you’ve got 30 minutes for recess, a teacher in elementary will actually have to take the time out to walk that one student down before they can even address the other students,” Representative Drummond said.

Committee members also debated whether converting the existing permissive standard (“may”) into a requirement (“shall”) actually preserves local control or compels districts that consciously declined the program to adopt a policy. DeBose said districts retain full discretion to make their policy “as narrow or broad as they want,” and that some systems may choose to offer the program only at the high school level, as the sponsor said Hoover did.

Representative DeBose and others emphasized safeguards in the bill: parental authorization, nonprofit liability and prohibition on public funding. The sponsor said nonprofit providers typically arrange transportation such as buses or shuttles and use volunteers to keep the process moving.

Representative Paschall moved for a favorable report and Representative Gidley seconded. The clerk called the roll; the transcript records several individual votes and reports a final tally of 9 nays and 2 abstentions. The transcript does not include a clear statement in the record that the committee’s favorable report was adopted or defeated; the public record segment ends with the clerk reading the tally and committee members thanking the sponsor.

Why it matters: the bill would change the current permissive posture in many districts to a statutory requirement for districts to adopt a policy enabling off‑campus religious instruction during the school day. Proponents say the measure responds to parents seeking access; critics say it risks eating into instructional time and may impose burdens on smaller districts that lack transportation or scheduling capacity.

The committee moved on to other bills after the roll call. The transcript shows Representative DeBose withdrew to continue work on related items later, and members discussed related implementation questions for districts that might not have the capacity to implement the program.

Votes, motions and next steps cited in the hearing remain part of the committee record and may be revisited in future sessions or after additional amendments.","Representative Terri DeBose, sponsor of House Bill 342, told the House Education Policy Committee that the bill would require school districts to adopt local policies to allow off‑campus religious instruction during the school day, a practice she said the U.S. Supreme Court upheld in a 1952 ruling.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6616172,"Education committee holds lengthy public hearing on HB244, which would restrict classroom discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation",1684,3225000,4909000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2853839-cc49141f48c5dfe522403c71fb826400&start=3225&end=4909","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2853839-cc49141f48c5dfe522403c71fb826400/thumbnail_3225000.jpg","/articles/6616172/Alabama/Education-committee-holds-lengthy-public-hearing-on-HB244-which-would-restrict-classroom-discussion-of-gender-identity-and-sexual-orientation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616172-a4badbf8758ad1c171ba519f10794199/orig.mp4?Expires=1770913948&Signature=V-y99ObrwUpuwrsaCM7WxEmZI8~zSJQLtJ-PfrdFokxY4zupcaH88cl-QabyETrA6IylvYV844LKdOHTW4rjT~KSBQMGlB4GVTnZcxW9IKEJ-a8RFC4fIBn3shCnsyLn8t1jGPc4rRoRksz0wEI8qlbJgP8Al1P~CnKdFwRcnRmGomwgWKk4WyPLuBW4sfIG-o7CcbF6y2pCjPGE4DmG96udNxj62pS-vPy777uMTID1WB2DiST8CEfNIPf6OYnIRLBPGQ1qclRACHQIvQFu0RsE48R5igGvNQwM082oy0kXH~TbW1Bzr-45QXhXOGJKrxXcWo4RRunbKbvxnRfCww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Butler introduced House Bill 244 and opened a public hearing. \"HB 244 is basically what we passed last year with a couple of tweaks… It prohibits classroom discussion and instruction on gender identity or sexual orientation and adds pronouns and related insignia,\" Butler said, noting the bill now applies pre‑K through 12 to align with a recent federal executive order.

Public comment lasted more than an hour and included two proponents and about ten opponents. Opponents described HB 244 as unconstitutional, harmful to vulnerable students and likely to be struck down in court. \"HB 244's restrictions on speech are downright Orwellian and unconstitutional,\" said Susan Stewart of Huntsville, who asked lawmakers to focus on urgent matters such as food insecurity and health care instead of culture‑war legislation. Iraq war veteran Travis Jackson warned the measure would repeat past censorship mistakes around public health education.

Several opponents cited First Amendment and legal precedent. Alex Kim (opponent) pointed to Tinker v. Des Moines and other decisions and argued that broad prohibitions on discussion and symbols could violate settled constitutional protections for student and teacher speech. Medical and advocacy voices including Dr. Marissa Allison and representatives of The Trevor Project were cited by speakers concerned about mental‑health impacts on LGBTQ youth. \"The Trevor Project has shown that suicide risk goes down dramatically when youth have visible role models,\" said Leah Billy Welburn, a transgender nonbinary opponent.

Proponents argued the bill keeps classrooms focused on core academics and protects teachers and students from ideological instruction. Becky Garretson, introduced herself as executive director of Eagle Forum of Alabama and urged support, saying the bill ensures classroom instruction remains age‑appropriate and that sensitive topics belong at home. Matt Sharp of Alliance Defending Freedom urged protections for staff who decline to use pronouns they believe are untrue, citing past litigation his organization has brought in other states.

Representative Butler said she would accept additional drafting and planned to return with a substitute and asked the committee to consider the public testimony. The chair closed the hearing and the committee agreed to consider the bill at a later date.

Why it matters: HB 244 would expand restrictions on classroom discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation to pre‑K through 12 and add limits on displays and pronoun usage. Supporters say it protects parental authority and classroom neutrality; opponents say it infringes on speech rights and will harm LGBTQ students’ wellbeing. Legal experts in the testimony warned of likely litigation.

Next steps: The sponsor said she intends to file a substitute and the committee will consider the matter at a future meeting.","House Bill 244 drew nearly a dozen speakers in a public hearing. Proponents said the bill protects age‑appropriate instruction and parental authority; opponents — including parents, veterans, medical professionals and LGBTQ residents — said the bill is overbroad, harmful to students and likely to face legal challenges.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6616176,"Committee gives favorable report to chaplain bill with little debate",134,3200000,3334000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2853839-cc49141f48c5dfe522403c71fb826400&start=3200&end=3334","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2853839-cc49141f48c5dfe522403c71fb826400/thumbnail_3200000.jpg","/articles/6616176/Alabama/Committee-gives-favorable-report-to-chaplain-bill-with-little-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616176-684b215cc332d109a48c43def03f6207/orig.mp4?Expires=1770913948&Signature=Qkg62wtXivXC0ctGG727myjctSaaT62HSsBt0gbhC0B1Xb~cCI6zx3PC~8qfBQCs4R74cciC6yxKarN4kmVWPcRMyYAkOu~CznzymN556gw8nU36Qg5zaIoSqOEVFQOhFiEPQ1hBWdEJFRQVi-2Fy0TQoJXi~jsNQ5gGJ0S~o0Tr4VzRrR~W7XxotNKHcBJLxeqfXB7kNibD0~zmBpNrJLCw1X68qJUedI8et7cAlDKpSbdqvvGW-K6736-ce6HTjIWwNe~kQsnU3tooimQsadqsY-RCw2K3B4O8zOkbd5XzSfRqg3nf1FFOOsV5JLOPefTkp-diSMOZfBf3RLeMBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives moved a favorable report on House Bill 179 with minimal discussion in the Education Policy Committee. Representative Daniels moved for a favorable report, Representative DeBose seconded, and the committee voice vote recorded passage: \"All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? House Bill 179 is given a favor.\"

The discussion on HB 179 in the transcript was brief and limited to the motion, second and voice vote. No roll call or extended debate is recorded in the excerpt provided.

Why it matters: HB 179 cleared committee on a voice vote and will proceed to the next step in the legislative process; the transcript shows no recorded opposition in committee.

Next steps: The bill will move forward according to the legislative calendar.","House Bill 179, a measure concerning a legislative chaplain, received a favorable committee report with no recorded opposition during the Education Policy Committee session.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6616180,"Committee debates substitute for bill to display Ten Commandments in classrooms; sponsor withdraws motion for further drafting",893,2361000,3254000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2853839-cc49141f48c5dfe522403c71fb826400&start=2361&end=3254","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2853839-cc49141f48c5dfe522403c71fb826400/thumbnail_2361000.jpg","/articles/6616180/Alabama/Committee-debates-substitute-for-bill-to-display-Ten-Commandments-in-classrooms-sponsor-withdraws-motion-for-further-drafting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616180-b15bbabe6f15f2e55d2a89a50c233d56/orig.mp4?Expires=1770913948&Signature=C2yIeCqb~wHtW9vHW-bZssmAyxKtr09aKHWL80ZDms6TPmvVc6h2WLR~-ssafKepaff0NhD49rTmWo8fD46xi0sNK74MPfpvL~XTm~X9t8Tugor4~W-i1U~QtScgEXDrvmKu7SMorcli4fb8-7t6Dox4iuGLP4dkuggD45Po2YY0JCTh8p3J8~9ev-9vaGzMeT5mhcvj3fye~kSLcUbUDv9LGI4Rx5m6gio4ODP-mnTCfd4olH2y3s3~uPrTcy1O74DLgotvJbUVnoth~5ZgMAGO3JWH23jQFhwDei2sQ6HKb8py8n2pFKhuloF6XfybfxTco9dDYfcCgVw-Uy0xjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Phillip Gidley opened debate on House Bill 178, saying the bill would return the Ten Commandments to schools as part of a historical display in classrooms where American history is taught. \"This is not necessarily about putting the Ten Commandments back in the school. It's about returning something that's been removed,\" Gidley said, framing the measure as a historical contextualization alongside documents such as the Constitution and Magna Carta.

The substitute offered by the governor’s office would pay for displays with private funds and locate the framed document in the classroom context where American history is taught, rather than requiring placement in every single classroom. \"This accomplishes a very important thing that is laid out by the Alabama State Board of Education curriculum,\" Gidley said, adding the substitute was intended to avoid a fiscal burden on school districts.

Committee members asked practical questions about funding, enforcement and scope. Representative Daniels asked who would pay and how the schools would be held accountable if private donors did not come forward; Gidley said local communities and school boards would be responsible for raising private funds and he had heard of at least one prospective donor.

Representative Paramore asked whether a single display in a multi‑story building would suffice or whether the bill would require placement in every classroom; the sponsor said he had originally drafted language requiring display in every classroom but changed it to allow a single prominent location per building. Committee members also asked about the “context” or explanatory statement that had appeared in the original bill but not clearly in the substitute.

Because committee members raised drafting issues and questions about the substitute’s content and placement rules, Representative Gidley withdrew his motion for a favorable report and the committee agreed to carry the bill over to allow time for amendments and clarification. \"At this point in time, because we've got so many bills, I'm going to request that Representative DeBose withdraw your motion and let us have time to work on this bill and these,\" the chair said in moving the calendar; Representative DeBose (sponsor of a different bill) complied and the committee scheduled further work on HB 178.

Why it matters: the bill would require schools to display a framed historical statement referencing the Ten Commandments funded by private donations and placed in a classroom or prominent location where American history is taught. Committee members requested clearer drafting on funding contingencies, the text of the contextual statement and whether placement across multi‑classroom buildings would be satisfied by a single display.

Next steps: the sponsor agreed to work with members on amendments and the committee carried the bill over at the chair’s call for further drafting.","Representative Gidley introduced a substitute to House Bill 178 that would place an 11x14 framed statement of the Ten Commandments with contextual wording where American history is taught; committee members questioned implementation details, funding and scope and the sponsor withdrew the motion to allow amendments and drafting work.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears HB246, a bill to restrict use of names and pronouns inconsistent with legal name or biological sex

Alabama committee debates making religious release program mandatory for school districts

Education committee holds lengthy public hearing on HB244, which would restrict classroom discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation

Committee gives favorable report to chaplain bill with little debate

Committee debates substitute for bill to display Ten Commandments in classrooms; sponsor withdraws motion for further drafting