Sen. Shay Shelnutt

Maddy summarySB 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.

Maddy summarySB 248 prevents public school students from being excused from required classes or mandated student interventions (like tutoring) to attend religious instruction during school hours. It directly affects students in public schools and school districts that previously allowed "release time" for religious activities. The bill amends existing law to explicitly state that no student may be excused for religious purposes, overriding any prior practice. This changes the policy by removing an exception that allowed time off for religious instruction during required instructional periods.

Maddy summarySB 208 removes a requirement that state rural electrification authorities and electric membership corporations must get written approval from Alabama's Department of Finance before issuing bonds. Currently, these entities must file a petition, hold a public hearing, and secure departmental consent before bond sales. The bill eliminates this approval process, streamlining how these organizations finance rural power infrastructure projects. This change directly affects rural utilities responsible for delivering electricity in underserved Alabama areas. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 132 allows specific Class 8 municipalities in Alabama (with 25,000+ population and corporate limits spanning two counties) to opt out of their county personnel board's jurisdiction after providing six months' notice. If a municipality opts out, it must create its own civil service system that protects current employees' rights and prohibits discrimination based on protected characteristics like race, gender, or political views. The bill repeals a prior law that permitted similar opt-outs and confirms retroactive application for municipalities already operating under that older law. This directly affects eligible municipalities seeking greater control over local personnel decisions while maintaining employee protections.

Maddy summarySJR 40 is a ceremonial resolution celebrating the 150th anniversary of Gardendale First Baptist Church in Alabama. It does not change any laws or allocate funds - it simply expresses the Alabama Legislature’s "high commendations and congratulations" to the church for its historical role in the community. The resolution highlights the church’s founding in 1876, name changes, leadership history, and its current 6,000-member congregation. It was introduced by multiple senators and is currently moving through committee review.

Maddy summarySB 207 increases the minimum capital requirements and premium tax amounts for certain captive insurance companies operating in Alabama. It adds new requirements, including contracting with commissioner-approved managers, accountants, and actuaries; submitting detailed business plans, ownership information, and director/officer backgrounds; and filing annual audited financial statements with actuarial certifications of loss reserves. The bill also mandates that Alabama's insurance commissioner consider a captive insurer's manager competence and business plan when reviewing applications for licensure. These changes apply to all licensed captive insurers in the state and require notice of any material changes to previously submitted information.

Maddy summarySB 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.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all Alabama public school districts to implement a policy allowing students to earn elective credit for attending religious instruction during the school day, provided specific conditions are met. It mandates parental consent, prohibits public funding for instruction, and requires private religious entities to handle transportation, liability, and attendance records. Students may earn credit equivalent to standard elective courses, but cannot be released from required core classes for this purpose. The policy directly affects public school students seeking religious instruction, local school boards (now required to adopt the policy), and private religious providers. It builds on a 1952 Supreme Court precedent upholding such programs, ensuring compliance with constitutional and legal standards.

Maddy summarySB 278 focuses on local education policies concerning "released time" for religious instruction. The bill clarifies that local boards of education with policies allowing released time instruction, adopted before July 1, 2025, are not required to change them. This provision applies as long as these existing policies already comply with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations. It primarily affects local school boards and their ability to maintain current arrangements for students to receive religious instruction during school hours.

Maddy summarySB 277 revises the sex education curriculum in Alabama's public K-12 schools, directly affecting students, parents, and local boards of education. It mandates that all sex education programs exclusively teach "sexual risk avoidance" and encourage abstinence from all sexual activity. The bill prohibits providing referrals for abortion, misrepresenting contraceptive efficacy, or demonstrating contraceptive use. It also requires parental notification and an opt-out option for students, and authorizes the Attorney General to enforce these requirements.