Pronouns, Phone Bills Favorably Reported Out Of AL House Ed Policy Committee
HB246 and SB92 sent to House floor on Wednesday
Two bills directly impacting students in the Alabama public school system passed out of the Alabama House Education Policy Committee meeting on Wednesday, April 16th.
HB246, introduced by State Representative Scott Stadthagen (R-Hartselle), prohibits employees of public schools and public higher education institutions from using pronouns inconsistent with a student’s name or biological sex without written permission from the student’s parent or guardian. It would protect employees from adverse employment action for declining to use a name other than a legal name or a pronoun other than one corresponding to the student’s biological sex, or for declining to identify their own pronouns.
It would also protect students from disciplinary action for declining to use a name other than a legal name or pronoun other than that corresponding to biological sex, or for declining to reveal their own pronouns.
Finally, the bill would create a private course of action against any public school or public higher education institution for injunctive relief for those harmed by violations.
A substitute bill offered by Rep. Debbie Woods (R-Valley) was adopted following its introduction by Rep. Stadthagen. The changes introduced in the substitute were read and sub was given a favorable report without any discussion or questions from the Committee.
SB92, introduced by Senator Donnie Chesteen (R-29), is the companion bill of HB166, carried by Rep. Hulsey. SB92 is identical to the version of HB166 that has already passed the House.
HB166/SB92, the FOCUS Act—Freeing our Classrooms of Unnecessary Screens for Safety Act—prohibits the use, operation and possession of wireless communication devices on certain school properties. It requires local Boards of Education to adopt an internet safety policy, and requires students to complete a social media safety course prior to entering the eighth grade.
Rep. Kenneth Paschal (R-Pelham) asked for clarification that SB92 was identical to HB166, and he was told this is the case.
SB92 received a favorable report from the Committee. It is likely to receive little or no opposition on the House floor, and should be sent to the Governor soon.
