SB 85 Alabama Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Vaccines; religious exemption for K-12 students, further provided for; religious exemption for students at public institutions of higher education, provided

SB 85 modifies the process for obtaining religious exemptions from vaccine and testing requirements for students in Alabama. It allows K-12 students, through a parent or guardian, and students at public institutions of higher education to obtain an exemption by submitting a written statement affirming a sincerely held religious belief. The bill specifies that no additional forms, fees, or documentation may be required from the student or parent/guardian to secure enrollment based on this religious exemption. This applies to both public K-12 schools and public institutions of higher education.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 4, 2025 Last action May 1, 2025

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What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 5 edits · Apr 3, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was amended to expand vaccine exemption requirements from K-12 schools to public institutions of higher education. The changes add specific documentation requirements for higher education exemptions, including physical evaluation forms, and clarify the process for both religious and medical exemptions at the college level.

Scope change

Expanded from only K-12 public schools to include public institutions of higher education

SCOPE

Added requirements for public institutions of higher education to provide medical and religious exemptions to vaccine or testing requirements

REQUIREMENT

Changed K-12 religious exemption process to require a board-approved physical evaluation form completed within 12 months, in addition to the written declaration

Added physical evaluation form requirement for higher education religious exemptions, requiring a form approved by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education completed within 12 months

DEFINITION

Added specific reference to Section 16-5-1 for defining public institutions of higher education in the new college exemption section

TECHNICAL

Updated bill tracking numbers from WTVJE99-1 to WTVJE99-2 and changed status from Introduced to Engrossed

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 30, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee Second House

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (Health)

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 493

upper

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Orr motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 492

upper

Apr 3, 2025

Introduced

Singleton 1st Amendment Offered

upper

Mar 5, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

upper

Feb 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Education Policy)

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors