Fundamental rights of parents; provided for, constitutional amendment

HB 148 proposes a constitutional amendment to the Alabama Constitution, adding a fundamental right for parents to direct their children's education, upbringing, care, custody, and control. This would require any government action that restricts these parental rights to meet strict scrutiny: the government must prove the restriction serves a compelling interest and uses the least restrictive method possible. The amendment would apply broadly to all parents in Alabama, affecting how state laws or policies interact with parental decision-making. If passed, it would supersede existing statutes like the 2023 law referenced in the bill, embedding these protections directly into the state constitution. The bill is currently pending in the House Judiciary Committee after being filed on January 12, 2026.