Friday Five: February 23, 2024
The Alabama Legislature is in session, and Peritus PR is back with our fan-favorite #FridayFive legislative highlights series.
Every Friday, we’ll delve into the legislative “specials” of the week to help you digest the issues legislators have been chewing on at the Alabama State House. Grab your fork and knife, and dig into some of the bills that were introduced, debated, passed, failed or signed this week.
If you’re hungry for more, get the full course with our 2024 Alabama Legislative Guide.
THIS WEEK’S FRIDAY FIVE
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The Alabama Senate has passed a bill aimed at putting restrictions on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The bill, SB 129, would prevent organizations that receive state funding, such as state agencies, public schools and colleges, from funding DEI programs. Concerns have been raised about the bill's potential negative impact on the state's image and recruitment efforts, particularly for flagship universities, and has been met with significant backlash from Alabama leaders like Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin and students throughout the state.
Read more: ‘Divisive concepts,’ anti-DEI bill passes Alabama Senate (Alabama Reflector)
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Bills introduced in the legislature this week aim to clarify that embryos created through in vitro fertilization (IVF) are not considered human life but "potential life,” following a recent judicial interpretation from the Alabama Supreme Court that categorizes frozen embryos as children under Alabama law. This interpretation potentially exposes IVF providers and patients to wrongful death lawsuits under Alabama’s Wrongful Death of a Minor Act. Senator Tim Melson, Chair of the Senate Healthcare Committee, intends to introduce a bill aimed at clarifying that an embryo does not attain viability until it is implanted in a uterus. Additionally, House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels has introduced legislation that specifies that any fertilized human egg or embryo existing outside of a human uterus is not considered an unborn child or human being for any legal purpose in the state.
Read more: Lawmakers file bills to address Alabama Supreme Court’s IVF ruling (Alabama Political Reporter)
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A bill that would require students to demonstrate "first grade readiness" passed in the House. Currently, Alabama does not require students to attend kindergarten. But, under this bill, students who skip kindergarten must demonstrate “readiness” for the first grade, through testing or transferring from first grade in another state.
Read more: First grade readiness bills pass Alabama legislative committees (Alabama Reflector)
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The House unanimously passed a bill allowing for manslaughter charges against individuals who provide illegal drugs containing fentanyl, resulting in the death of the user. The bill aims to address the rising number of overdose deaths in the state attributed to fentanyl. An amendment to the bill specifies that not knowing a drug contains fentanyl can't be used as an excuse in court.
Read more: Bill to apply manslaughter charge to overdose deaths caused by fentanyl passes House (AL.com)
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The Alabama House education budget committee approved HB 129, which proposes a school choice program allowing up to $7,000 in taxpayer funds to follow students to private schools. Public school families could also use the credits for out-of-district public schools. The bill establishes a state fund of at least $100 million annually, from which Alabama families can apply for tax credits for private school and homeschool expenses. Despite being drafted by Gov. Ivey's office and approved by the committee in a voice vote, some legislators have expressed reservations, highlighting concerns about equitable access for all Alabama children, particularly those in underserved areas.
Read more: Amended ESA bill to get first vote Thursday (Alabama Daily News)
OUR PUBLISHED BY PERITUS TAKEAWAY
Like curating your perfect plate at Nana’s Thanksgiving, we all have the right to saddle up to the table with our idea of what’s right for Alabama. With this legislative menu in hand, it’s time to decide what is going to hit the spot for our communities, our organizations and our lives.
Our team has brewed the perfect pairing with our #ALPolitics Guide, helping you identify and contact the representatives serving as head chefs in your communities’ kitchens, explore media resources to keep you informed throughout the session and bridge the gap between policymakers and your community’s table.
Whet your appetite for a better Alabama — we will see ya here next Friday!
At Peritus Public Relations, we know you want to make an impact. To do that you need confidence and clarity to take action. Tell us what’s keeping you up at night and stop letting fear of a misstep get in the way of driving your mission forward. We believe you deserve to get it right. For over a decade, organizations like yours have trusted us to navigate the best path forward.
Peritus specializes in issue advocacy, stakeholder engagement, government affairs and strategic consulting. Let’s connect if you want to learn more about how state policy affects your mission and bottom line.
Check out the 2024 Peritus PR Alabama Legislative Guide here.