Healthcare (Women's Health) in Alabama

in committee · Alabama · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 642: Human fertility; to recognize the right of Alabamians to engage in contraception and assisted reproductive practices such as in vitro fertilization

This bill, known as the Alabama Family Planning Act, establishes legal rights for Alabamians to use contraception and access assisted reproductive treatments like in vitro fertilization. It explicitly protects health care providers from restrictions on dispensing contraceptives or providing fertility services, and prevents state or local governments from enforcing laws that interfere with these practices. The legislation allows the Attorney General, health care providers, and individuals to file civil lawsuits to stop any laws or policies that limit access to these reproductive health options, with enforcement beginning on October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Women's Health

in committee · Alabama · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 598: Creates the Rural Maternal and Infant Health Equity Act and Rural Maternal and Infant Health Equity Program Fund to improve birth outcomes in rural communities

This bill establishes the Rural Maternal and Infant Health Equity Act to improve birth outcomes in rural Alabama communities by expanding access to prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care. It creates a new state fund to support grants for midwifery and doula services, requires Medicaid and private insurers to cover these services, and establishes a training program to recruit obstetric providers to rural areas. The legislation also provides capital grants for building rural birth centers and modernizing hospital obstetric units, while funding locally led maternal health partnerships that offer home visits and mobile clinics.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Children's Health Hospitals Women's Health

died · Alabama · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 367: Rural Health Transformation Program, appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027

This bill provides up to $203 million in federal funding to the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs for the Rural Health Transformation Program during fiscal year 2027. The money is divided among ten specific health initiatives, including support for electronic health records, rural healthcare services, maternal health, workforce development, cancer care, emergency medical services, and mental health programs. The legislation also establishes rules for carrying over unspent funds to the next fiscal year and requires approval from federal officials before any money can be moved between different initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Mental Health Women's Health

died · Alabama · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 368: Rural Health Transformation Program supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026

This bill allocates up to $203 million in federal funds from the Rural Health Transformation Program to Alabama's Department of Economic and Community Affairs for fiscal year 2026. The money is divided among ten specific health initiatives focused on rural areas, including electronic health records, workforce development, maternal health, cancer care, mental health services, and emergency medical response improvements. The bill also establishes rules for carrying over unspent funds to the next fiscal year and requires state officials to obtain federal approval before reallocating money between different program categories. These provisions aim to support ongoing healthcare infrastructure and services in rural Alabama communities while maintaining compliance with federal funding requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Mental Health Women's Health

signed · Alabama · Senate Apr 17, 2026

SB 209: Public K-12 schools; sex education (sex ed) curriculum further provided for, sexual risk avoidance established as sex ed curriculum, policies of local boards of education related to sex ed further provided for, parent or guardian notice of sex ed curriculum required, Attorney General authorized to enforce

SB 209 requires all public K-12 schools in Alabama to teach only "sexual risk avoidance" curriculum, emphasizing abstinence as the sole effective method to prevent pregnancy and STIs. It prohibits any instruction about contraception, abortion referrals, or sexually explicit materials, and bans sex education for students in kindergarten through fourth grade. The bill mandates that parents receive notice before such curriculum is taught and can opt their child out. It also requires schools to provide specific information about pregnancy costs, Alabama's abortion laws, adoption, and healthy relationship practices. The Attorney General is authorized to enforce these requirements.

Topics ✗ Education ✗ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Women's Health

in committee · Alabama · House Jan 13, 2026

HB 118: Abortion-inducing drugs; manufacture, distribution, and transport prohibited, exceptions provided, qui tam suit against certain persons who violate prohibition authorized and provided for, remedies provided

HB 118 prohibits the manufacture, distribution, mailing, transport, or prescription of abortion-inducing drugs in Alabama, with narrow exceptions for non-abortion purposes or specific medical emergencies (like ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage-related care). It creates a private lawsuit mechanism ("qui tam") allowing individuals to sue violators for $100,000 plus fees, but explicitly blocks lawsuits against hospitals, healthcare providers, delivery services (like Uber), internet companies, and women using the drugs for abortion. The bill exempts certain entities, including hospitals, transportation network companies, and out-of-state pharmacies, from being sued under this provision. This bill directly affects pharmacies, healthcare providers, and drug distributors within Alabama, while maintaining Alabama’s existing near-total abortion ban.

Topics ✗ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Women's Health

in committee · Alabama · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SB 51: Contraception; guaranteeing access to in the state

SB 51 establishes that Alabama residents have the right to access FDA-approved contraceptives and that healthcare providers (including doctors, pharmacists, and clinics) have the right to dispense them and provide related information. The bill prohibits state agencies, local governments, and officials from enforcing any law, rule, or policy that restricts access to these contraceptives or interferes with their distribution. It allows the Attorney General, healthcare providers, or affected individuals to file lawsuits to stop such enforcement through civil actions. This law directly affects Alabama residents seeking contraception, healthcare providers offering these services, and state/local governments implementing policies related to contraceptive access. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Women's Health

signed · Alabama · Senate Feb 6, 2026

SJR 20: Alabama Birth Equity Initiative, commended

This resolution (SJR 20) formally commends the Alabama Birth Equity Initiative, a Black women-led coalition addressing Alabama's maternal health crisis. It recognizes their work to combat high maternal mortality rates - disproportionately affecting rural, Black, and Indigenous communities - through midwifery training, mobile health units, and addressing systemic issues like medical racism and food insecurity. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but expresses legislative support for the initiative's community-centered approach to improving prenatal care and birth outcomes. It specifically highlights their focus on expanding midwifery access and "wraparound" services like housing and childcare support.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Women's Health

in committee · Alabama · House Jan 13, 2026

HB 46: Abortion; authorized to preserve health of mother or if pregnancy result of rape or incest; man convicted of rape or incest required to pay for abortion and undergo vasectomy; mother of unborn child who undergoes abortion to preserve her health authorized to petition to require father of unborn child to pay for certain abortion costs; judge authorized to excuse father from payment if he undergoes vasectomy

HB 46 would expand abortion access in Alabama by adding two new exceptions: abortions necessary to preserve a mother's health (beyond current medical emergency standards) and abortions resulting from rape or incest. It requires men convicted of rape or incest that caused a pregnancy to pay for the abortion and related medical costs, and to undergo a vasectomy or castration. Mothers seeking abortions for health reasons could petition courts to compel the father to cover all pregnancy and abortion expenses, while fathers could avoid payment by agreeing to a vasectomy. The bill also establishes court procedures for resolving paternity disputes related to these financial obligations. (Note: This bill is pending review by the House Health Committee as of January 2026.)

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Women's Health

in committee · Alabama · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SB 3: Public K-12 schools, sex education (sex ed) curriculum further provided for, sexual risk avoidance established as sex ed curriculum, policies of local boards of education related to sex ed further provided for, parent or guardian notice of sex ed curriculum required, Attorney General authorized to enforce

SB 3 requires Alabama public K-12 schools to teach only abstinence-focused sex education, banning any instruction about contraception or abortion referrals. Parents must receive notice and can opt their children out of sex education classes. The bill mandates specific content, including pregnancy costs, abortion laws, adoption processes, and parenting responsibilities, while prohibiting demonstrations of contraceptive use or sexually explicit materials. School boards cannot partner with organizations that advocate for abortion or non-abstinence approaches, and the Attorney General is authorized to enforce these requirements.

Topics ✗ Education ✗ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Women's Health

All healthcare bills