Tara Bailey
- Feb 8
- 3 min read

Review of the Divisive Concepts Bills in Alabama

Updated: Feb 12

In 2022 bills aimed at ending the teaching of divisive concepts were introduced in Alabama's House and Senate. The House bill was HB312 and the Senate bill was SB292. Senate Bill 292 was indefinitely postponed in 2022. House Bill 312 was awaiting a third reading in the Senate when time ran out for the 2022 legislative session. Since this bill did not pass in 2022 it has returned as HB7 for the upcoming legislative session.

Below you will find videos where the bills have been discussed in the State Government Committee, the Alabama House and the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee. The next legislative session begins on March, 7 2023.

2023 Divisive Concepts Bill

The Divisive Concepts bill has come back as HB7 in 2023. You can read the bill language here.

HB7 - 2023 Regular Session

Current Status: Pending

Title: Education, promotion and endorsement of certain divisive concepts in certain public settings prohibited

Referred to the State Government Committee

2023 State Government Committee

Rep. Chris Sells / Chairman / R-Greenville

Rep. Russell Bedsole / Vice Chair / R-Alabaster

Rep. John Rogers / Ranking Minority Member / D-Birmingham

Rep. Mike Kirkland / Member / R-Scottsboro

Rep. Ernie Yarbrough / Member / R-Trinity

Rep. Mike Shaw / Member / R-Hoover

Rep. Barbara Boyd / Member / D-Anniston

Rep. Prince Chestnut / Member / D-Valley Grande

Rep. Jamie Kiel / Member / R-Russellville

Rep. Kelvin Lawrence / Member / D-Hayneville

Rep. Scott Stadthagen / Member / R-Hartselle

Rep. Mack Butler / Member / R-Rainbow City

Rep. Randy Wood / Member / R-Anniston

Rep. Marcus Paramore / Member / R-Troy

Rep. David Cole / Member / R-Huntsville

2022 Divisive Concepts Bill

HB312 - Regular Session 2022

Current Status: Read Second Time in Second House

Title: Education and training, divisive concepts, prohibits teaching of the concepts under certain circumstances, allows teaching of the concepts in public institutions of higher education as long as assent to the concept is not compelled.

SB292 - Regular Session 2022

Current Status: Indefinitely Postponed in House of Origin

HB312 was awaiting a third reading in the Senate when time ran out for the 2022 legislative session.