Review of the Divisive Concepts Bills in Alabama

Tara Bailey

Feb 8, 20233 min read

Updated: Sep 2, 2023

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.

With the bill not passing in 2022 it came back as HB7 in the House and SB247 in the Senate, but both bills were indefinitely postponed.

Below you will find videos showing where the bills have been discussed in Alabama's legislative meetings.

2023 Divisive Concepts Bill

HB7 - 2023 Regular Session

Current Status: Indefinitely Postponed on 5/31/23

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

Referred to the Alabama House State Government Committee

2023 Alabama House State Government Committee Members

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

Alabama House Sate Government Committee - Public Hearing on HB7

Reported favorably along party lines out of the committee on 4/12/23

SB247 - 2023 Regular Session

Current Status: Indefinitely Postponed on 5/31/23

Title: Relating to education; to provide prohibitions on the promotion, endorsement, and affirmation of certain divisive concepts in certain public settings; and to authorize certain penalties for violation.

Referred to the Alabama Senate State Governmental Affairs Committee

2023 Alabama Senate State Governmental Affairs Committee Members

Rep. Tom Butler / Chairman / R- Madison County

Rep. Chris Elliot / Vice Chair / R- Baldwin County

Rep. Linda Coleman-Madison / Ranking Minority Member / D- Jefferson County

Rep. Arthur Orr / Member / R- Limestone County, Madison County, Morgan County

Rep. Dan Roberts / Member / R- Jefferson County, Shelby County

Rep. Gerald H. Allen / Member / R- Pickens County, Tuscaloosa County

Rep. Greg Albritton / Member / R- Baldwin County, Escambia County, Mobile County

Rep. Keith Kelley / Member / R- Calhoun County, Talladega County

Rep. Lance Bell / Member / R- Shelby County, St. Clair County, Talladega County

Rep. Robert Stewart / Member / D- Butler County, Clarke County, Conecuh County, Dallas County

Rep. Merika Coleman / Member / D- Jefferson County

Alabama Senate State Governmental Affairs Committee - Public Hearing on SB247

Reported favorably along party lines out of the committee on 5/3/23

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