02/08/2024
The 2024 Alabama Legislative session has started, and already, we are seeing many bad bills trying to be passed. You can make a difference by contacting your representatives today and telling them to vote NO on these bills. If you don't know who your representatives are or how to contact them, please message us, and we will help you. Please share this post, and track these bills here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1x0GUS7hnfSVYoosDow_UuP-0lyLNh6H5wgyqA4ffdog/edit?usp=sharing
HB111 aims at erasing, stigmatizing, and marginalizing the trans community. (Link to Bill: https://www.legislature.state.al.us/pdf/SearchableInstruments/2024RS/HB111-int.pdf)
HB130 prohibits instruction about gender identity and sexual orientation in K-12 schools. (Link to Bill: https://www.legislature.state.al.us/pdf/SearchableInstruments/2024RS/HB130-int.pdf)
SB1 prohibits assistance during absentee voting processes with few exceptions provided, seeking to limit access to absentee ballots and efforts geared toward increasing absentee turnout. (Link to Bill: https://www.legislature.state.al.us/pdf/SearchableInstruments/2024RS/SB1-int.pdf)
SB2 proposes an amendment to the Alabama Constitution that would require school boards in the state of Alabama to adopt a policy that requires public K-12 schools to broadcast or sanction the performance of the Star-Spangled Banner at least once per week. This constitutes an attack on the First Amendment right by forcing K-12 students to listen to the Star-Spangled Banner. (Link to Bill: https://www.legislature.state.al.us/pdf/SearchableInstruments/2024RS/SB2-int.pdf)
SB4 prohibits flags from being flown on public or government property unless they are explicitly expressed in the bill. This bill, as proposed, would prohibit any LGBTQ+ pride flags from being flown on public property without approval from the entity owning the land. (Link to Bill: https://www.legislature.state.al.us/pdf/SearchableInstruments/2024RS/SB4-int.pdf)
SB5 restructures appointment process for the Department of Archives and vests power in the Governor and other state legislative elected officials. (Link to Bill: https://www.legislature.state.al.us/pdf/SearchableInstruments/2024RS/SB5-int.pdf)
SB10 restructures appointment processes of local library boards. We believe this bill will shift power on the local level to make book censorship efforts more favorable for opponents seeking to ban specific books. (Link to Bill: https://www.legislature.state.al.us/pdf/SearchableInstruments/2024RS/SB10-int.pdf)
Other key bills that deal with curriculum censorship:
SB48 requires all K-12 curriculum material to be posted on the school website and available to parents, with a complaint process outlined to the state Department of Education. Has all Republicans as co-sponsors. (Link to bill: https://www.legislature.state.al.us/pdf/SearchableInstruments/2024RS/SB48-int.pdf)
SB54 creates a Textbook Review Committee and requires that all textbooks used in K-12 schools be approved by the committee. (Link to bill: https://www.legislature.state.al.us/pdf/SearchableInstruments/2024RS/SB54-int.pdf)
These two types of bills severely limit the autonomy of teachers within their own classrooms but also limit the possibility of discussing crucial topics in classrooms. These are very concerning bills limiting classrooms and teachers.
If you don't know who your representatives are or how to contact them, please message us, and we will help you. Please share this post.
