[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-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],{"_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",6609644,"mediaKeyId","2906760-3a420675f4908aebe65b5a2a66a8f8a5","parentId",2906760,"title","Senate debates bill to raise minors’ age of medical consent from 14 to 18; committee amendment adopted","audioSeconds",966,"startMs",10447000,"endMs",11413000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2906760-3a420675f4908aebe65b5a2a66a8f8a5&start=10447&end=11413","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2906760-3a420675f4908aebe65b5a2a66a8f8a5/thumbnail_10447000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6609644/Alabama/Senate-debates-bill-to-raise-minors-age-of-medical-consent-from-14-to-18-committee-amendment-adopted","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609644-4a7a7e7af90793c280a9f2a6e8b76fc2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775555766&Signature=L0ebEnHDknFgKPPN7R1VDRfmgVmIgxW9a6aTY6lsobdt9EIuUONdp8p-NWbB2g40wkc7amNbUIOnNrwlDG71iP~rrNnEpv4ZigyWviG79NirNCmnUw~wPqGLtuXOEqhsaiw~W86i4a-t6hJLAKjCoobIKtDLkG-LtFY0aqze-pjI5Rxcn9QIj9LTvDyT-T3wfsHTODdA7nJBnDkhBw5lwpStyH~82TKc6Abko0Xlsh-ckjlxx0FwAmu0gTz0fzhWtDertHDNVjr0xtu3StVXurbI7ul~b6uGYaictx86mDIbcmuullG8eTAvNJAnjlVhGmhkRWMjDuOEPtowxiMsjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alabama Senate Sessions","date","2025-04-09T06:02:30.93Z","article","Senators debated Senate Bill 101, which would raise the age at which a minor can generally consent to medical care from 14 to 18, and adopted a committee-related procedural action (the BR) before floor discussion continued.

Sponsor Senator Stutz said Alabama is currently one of the states with the lowest age for medical consent and proposed aligning state law with most other states: \"Alabama is currently the lowest state in the nation for age of medical consent,\" Stutz said on the floor. He described the bill as containing carve-outs common in other states: exceptions for married or emancipated minors, pregnancy, emergencies, independent living and certain services such as counseling and STI testing.

Committee motion and floor vote
Senator Stutz moved to adopt the committee-related measure (referred to in the transcript as the BR). The Senate recorded the roll call as 24 ayes and 2 nays on that motion and the BR was adopted; the chamber then proceeded to general debate on the bill.

Arguments on the floor
Senator Coleman Madison questioned raising the general consent age to 18 and urged a compromise at 16, citing changing social conditions and that many teenagers assume adult responsibilities earlier. She noted existing exceptions in current law — including that a minor who has graduated high school, is married or is pregnant already may consent for medical or mental-health services — and urged that mental-health access and other protections be considered as the bill moves forward.

What the bill would change and carve-outs mentioned
- Current statutory baseline in Alabama: age 14 for general medical consent (as discussed on the floor).
- Sponsor said proposed default would be age 18, with carve-outs for: emancipated minors, marriage, pregnancy, being a high-school graduate, independent living, emergency treatment and certain services already permitted under existing law (school counseling, bone marrow donation, STI testing and alcohol/drug dependency services).

Next steps
Floor debate continued after the BR adoption; the transcript in the record ends with discussion of policy arguments and carve-outs rather than with a final recorded vote on third reading or passage of SB101.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Alabama Senate","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 101, sponsored by Sen. Stutz, would raise Alabama’s age of general medical consent from 14 to 18 with carve-outs for emancipated minors, pregnancy, marriage, emergencies and other exceptions. The Senate adopted a committee-related motion (BR) and the bill drew floor debate on a compromise age of 16.","taxTitle","Senate, Alabama Legislative Sessions, Alabama","taxId",62183,"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},6609648,"Senate confirms multiple appointees to Surface Mining Commission amid calls for clearer vetting and packet access",3226,5288000,8514000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2906760-3a420675f4908aebe65b5a2a66a8f8a5&start=5288&end=8514","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2906760-3a420675f4908aebe65b5a2a66a8f8a5/thumbnail_5288000.jpg","/articles/6609648/Alabama/Senate-confirms-multiple-appointees-to-Surface-Mining-Commission-amid-calls-for-clearer-vetting-and-packet-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609648-aab9e54603fe243bf301ddc8541a0ecc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775555766&Signature=TK29XqGx-zz~EACwK8tVOESJ8kYZ7hNJNxlp63Ud3WPWn3DNa-AsTMhrdqbNqDqACS2bXutkCvR2LW0J~NzNwdHyBkvxrITHsuq6YfBX-qDy8M4M10oTre1Bmpquz6SMXTm3SgGuevD7cy5H77nOSYZ8GmZJ9ZA5BXkzXYY-NnBzjBK~gcd020--1MVciW7g2ZplnXf87Qu9Ql3O45M12gx6uWYw1v9w1gUEAanpzdu7ylPeTTlPZ-UWn6EkOrgwttPcwzTWpknDVramOgafy3F9diDwX4RQUqe0HHbWNb8S4eQVJB0RZ4Se5D-~Yt4ItAuSn2UbCnqFlYWdJkDvYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alabama Senate confirmed six gubernatorial appointees on the floor after committee reports recommended approval, and senators used the floor debate to push the confirmations committee to provide earlier, clearer information on nominees.

Senators confirmed Bobby Humphrey, Rodney Sullivan, Deidre Tatum, James P. Jeter, Jennifer Harris and Katisha Vance to various commissions. Several confirmations were for seats on the Alabama Surface Mining Commission. Senator Weaver, acting on the committee report, moved the confirmations and the Senate approved each nomination by voice or roll call as recorded.

Why it matters: multiple senators said they routinely vote on confirmations without access to more than a resume and the governor’s appointment letter. Senators asked for a transparent, electronic packet and for appointees to be made available to meet individually with members before floor votes so senators can perform “due diligence.”

Discussion and endorsements
Senator Wagner and others gave personal endorsements for Bobby Humphrey, noting his family’s community involvement and prior public-service roles. Wagner said, “I know Bobby Humphrey. I’ve known him for many, many years,” and urged confirmation based on that personal knowledge. Senator Smitherman and Senator Coleman Madison also offered personal recollections and endorsements during the floor discussion.

Several senators, including Senator Albritton, voiced procedural concerns. Albritton asked for clearer pre-vote materials and pushed the confirmations committee to post packets or provide links in advance. The committee chair responded that members will be given the committee packet and that appointees can be arranged to visit senators’ offices prior to floor votes.

Committee vetting and background checks
Committee reports submitted to the Senate showed favorable committee votes preceding most confirmations (for example, several committee reports were recorded as 9 ayes, 0 nays). Senators asked whether the governor’s office supplies background-check reports or other vetting documentation; the confirmations chair said the governor’s appointment secretary provides a packet that includes the appointment letter and resumes and that she would confirm whether background-check reports are included.

Votes at a glance
- Rodney Sullivan — Confirmed to Alabama Surface Mining Commission; committee favorable report 9–0; Senate confirmation recorded: 30 ayes, 0 nays.
- Bobby Humphrey — Confirmed to Alabama Surface Mining Commission; committee favorable report 9–0; Senate confirmation recorded: 30 ayes, 0 nays.
- Deidre Tatum — Confirmed to Alabama Surface Mining Commission; committee favorable report 9–0; Senate confirmation recorded: 31 ayes, 0 nays. Term expiration recorded as 06/30/2030 in committee materials.
- James P. Jeter — Confirmed to Alabama Surface Mining Commission; committee favorable report 9–0; Senate confirmation recorded: 31 ayes, 0 nays.
- Jennifer Harris — Confirmed to Alabama Sickle Cell Oversight and Regulatory Commission; committee favorable report 9–0; Senate confirmation recorded: 31 ayes, 0 nays.
- Katisha Vance — Confirmed to Alabama Sickle Cell Oversight and Regulatory Commission; committee favorable report 9–0; Senate confirmation recorded: 31 ayes, 0 nays.

What senators asked the committee to change
Senators asked the confirmations committee and the governor’s office to: provide an online link or electronic drop box for packets when nominations are transmitted to the Senate; make clear which nominations are pending in committee versus which are coming to a floor vote; and, where feasible, arrange brief office visits between appointees and any senator who requests one. The confirmations chair agreed to provide committee packets on request and to make appointees available to meet senators prior to floor votes.

Ending
Senators emphasized their desire to perform due diligence before voting, while acknowledging the workload of committee staff and negotiation required to set floor calendars. The confirmations continued after the discussion; the Senate recorded the votes listed above and moved on to other business.","The Alabama Senate confirmed six appointees to state commissions, including three to the Alabama Surface Mining Commission, while several senators pressed for better advance information, background checks and an online packet system for nominations.","actionData","errors"]

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Senate debates bill to raise minors’ age of medical consent from 14 to 18; committee amendment adopted

Senate confirms multiple appointees to Surface Mining Commission amid calls for clearer vetting and packet access