Friday Five: April 26, 2024
The Alabama Legislature is in session, and Peritus PR is back with our fan-favorite #FridayFive legislative highlights series.
Every Friday, we’ll delve into the legislative “specials” of the week to help you digest the issues legislators have been chewing on at the Alabama State House. Grab your fork and knife, and dig into some of the bills that were introduced, debated, passed, failed or signed this week.
If you’re hungry for more, get the full course with our 2024 Alabama Legislative Guide.
THIS WEEK’S FRIDAY FIVE
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The House passed a bill to increase restrictions on discussing gender identity and sexual orientation in public schools, expanding the ban to eighth grade and prohibiting flags symbolizing LGBTQ+ identities in K-12 schools. Critics argue the “Don’t Say Gay” bill could limit discussions on gender and sexuality and violate First Amendment rights. Proponents frame the bill as a response to what they see as indoctrination and aim to "purify the schools," citing concerns about Marxism and challenging family values.
Read more: Expanded so-called 'Don't Say Gay' education restrictions advance in Alabama (ABC News)
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A bipartisan effort in the Senate aims to grant teachers paid parental leave, but a Senate committee voted to reduce the proposed 12 weeks of leave to six weeks and limit eligibility to birth mothers only, excluding fathers and adoptive parents. The substitute bill also excludes coverage for miscarriages, stillbirths and adoption. At present, Alabama educators and school staff must accrue sick leave days or opt for unpaid leave when caring for a newborn or adopted child. Typically, public school teachers receive an allotment of 10 sick days annually.
Read more: Alabama legislators cut back teacher paid parental leave bill (AL.com)
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The House passed a bill to redefine "material harmful to minors" under the Alabama Anti-Obscenity Enforcement Act, potentially implicating librarians who provide such materials to minors. The new definition would restrict material that “knowingly exposes minors to persons who are dressed in sexually revealing, exaggerated, or provocative clothing or costumes, or are stripping, or engaged in lewd or lascivious dancing, presentations, or activities in K-12 public schools, public libraries, and other public places where minors are expected and are known to be present without parental consent.” Critics argue the bill is overly vague and could infringe on free speech, with concerns raised specifically about its impact on access to LGBTQ literature. Despite opposition from various groups – including Read Freely Alabama, a volunteer group opposing censorship in local libraries – the bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.
Read more: Alabama House passes bill that could lead to prosecutions of librarians (Alabama Reflector)
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The House and Senate health committees convened jointly to learn about Medicaid expansion in Arkansas and North Carolina, focusing on the challenges and benefits of efforts to close the health care coverage gap. Alabama is one of only 10 states that have not bridged the gap, and expansion could extend coverage to nearly 300,000 Alabamians who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to afford private insurance options. Presenters at the hearing discussed their respective approaches to health care expansion while the joint committees debated the merits of expansion amid concerns about cost and welfare implications.
Read more: Alabama lawmakers weigh Medicaid expansion approaches in Southern states (Alabama Reflector)
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The House passed a bill that would withhold economic incentives from companies not holding secret ballots in union elections. A secret ballot refers to a voting process where individuals cast their votes in private, ensuring that each voter can freely express their preference without fear of reprisal or intimidation from any party, including employers or union representatives. The bill mandates that companies must conduct private ballots when determining whether to unionize, rather than relying on methods such as signing union authorization cards, which may involve public declaration of support and potentially expose employees to pressure or coercion. Advocates argue that private ballots protect the integrity of the voting process and allow employees to make their decision free from external influence. Opponents fear the bill will harm workers' rights and potentially lead to job losses. The bill will now proceed to the Senate.
Read more: House passes bill to require secret ballot union vote at businesses receiving incentives (Alabama Political Reporter)
OUR PUBLISHED BY PERITUS TAKEAWAY
Like curating your perfect plate at Nana’s Thanksgiving, we all have the right to saddle up to the table with our idea of what’s right for Alabama. With this legislative menu in hand, it’s time to decide what is going to hit the spot for our communities, our organizations and our lives.
Our team has brewed the perfect pairing with our #ALPolitics Guide, helping you identify and contact the representatives serving as head chefs in your communities’ kitchens, explore media resources to keep you informed throughout the session and bridge the gap between policymakers and your community’s table.
Whet your appetite for a better Alabama — we will see ya here next Friday!
At Peritus Public Relations, we know you want to make an impact. To do that you need confidence and clarity to take action. Tell us what’s keeping you up at night and stop letting fear of a misstep get in the way of driving your mission forward. We believe you deserve to get it right. For over a decade, organizations like yours have trusted us to navigate the best path forward.
Peritus specializes in issue advocacy, stakeholder engagement, government affairs and strategic consulting. Let’s connect if you want to learn more about how state policy affects your mission and bottom line.
Check out the 2024 Peritus PR Alabama Legislative Guide here.