Tara Bailey
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
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-
HB312 was awaiting a third reading in the Senate when time ran out for the 2022 legislative session.
Videos of discussions that took place in the legislature about the 2022 divisive concepts bills
Alabama House State Government Committee - Public Hearing on HB312
Alabama House of Representatives - March 17th, 2022 - HB312
Alabama Senate Governmental Affairs Committee - Public Hearing on HB312
Alabama Senate Governmental Affairs Committee - SB292
News Stories about Divisive Concepts Bills
HB7
Alabama Legislators Propose Bill to Ban the Teaching of 'Divisive ... - The Epoch Times
The Epoch Times • Jan 27, 2023
Opinion | A vague bill promises to ban something it seems - Alabama Political Reporter
Alabama Political Reporter • Jan 30, 2023
Alabama House Republicans profile bill that limits teaching of 'divisive concepts'
Alabama Reflector • Feb 08, 2023
HB312
Alabama House approves bill banning 'divisive concepts' in K-12 ... - Montgomery Advertiser Montgomery Advertiser • Mar 17, 2022
Alabama House committee scheduled to consider critical race ... - Montgomery AdvertiserMontgomery Advertiser • Feb 22, 2022
Two-thirds of Americans say schools fall short in teaching Black ... - Alabama Political Repor Alabama Political Reporter • Feb 22, 2022
Legislating while Black in Alabama: CRT and the struggle for respect - AL.com
AL.com • Apr 05, 2022
House committee approves ban of 'divisive concepts' in K-12 history - Montgomery Advertiser
Montgomery Advertiser • Mar 15, 2022
AL.com • Mar 10, 2022
New Alabama laws 2022: What the legislature did and didn't pass - Montgomery Advertiser
Montgomery Advertiser • Apr 12, 2022
Educators plan to sue over Georgia's 'divisive concepts' law - cnhinews.com
cnhinews.com • Nov 04, 2022
Top issues at play in Alabama Legislature's final week - Montgomery Advertiser
Montgomery Advertiser • Apr 04, 2022
Educational Gag Orders Seek to Enforce Compulsory Patriotism - PEN America
PEN America • Mar 30, 2022
SB292
Alabama Senate committee approves "divisive concepts" bill - Alabama Political Reporter
Alabama Political Reporter • Mar 09, 2022