We only have one word — unconstitutional.
Since our last legislative roundup, Alabama lawmakers have continued to rally behind laws that violate our nation’s Constitution and target the most vulnerable people in our state.
The Legislature is now on spring break and will return on March 29, 2021. In the meantime, we’ve sharing updates for some of our priority bills and how you can participate in tomorrow’s virtual protest.
- HB 1 and SB 10 seek to criminalize doctors who provide gender-affirming care to trans youth and punish school officials who choose not to “out” them to their parents. HB 1 was passed by the House Judiciary Committee on February 24, and SB 10 was passed by the Alabama Senate on March 2. If either of these unconstitutional bills pass and are signed by the governor, it will harm our trans youth and could represent another costly lawsuit for the state.
The attacks on trans rights do not stop there though.
- HB 391 seeks to prohibit Alabama K-12 schools from athletics that allow transgender kids to participate. This week it was passed by the Alabama House and can now advance to the Alabama Senate.
To fight back against these attacks, we are hosting a virtual protest tomorrow. Join us and stand with the transgender youth community.
Alabama lawmakers have also been quickly advancing an “anti-protest” bill.
- HB 445 was introduced on Feb. 24, passed by the Alabama House on March 18, and can now be heard by the Alabama Senate. If passed, this bill would threaten free speech and subject protestors to being easily criminalized. Alabamians have historically protested in response to injustice, and this is a clear attempt to silence our voices.
Additionally, bills that we support have been at a standstill in the Legislature.
- HB 107 could be a critical step toward criminal justice reform in our state. It would repeal Alabama’s Habitual Felony Offender Act (HFOA) and help address Alabama’s dangerous, overcrowded prisons and harsh sentencing laws.
- HB 396 seeks to permit “no-excuse” absentee voting in Alabama for eligible voters. It is far past time that Alabama modernizes elections to allow voter access as broadly as possible. But rather than do so, the Legislature has focused on prohibiting access with legislation like HB 285, a ban on curbside voting that will disproportionately impact voters with disabilities.
We need your support now more than ever to fight for a better Alabama. We cannot stay silent while Alabama legislators continue to create oppressive laws. For live legislative updates and ways to take action on issues, make sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
It has been a rough legislative session, but we remain hopeful.