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Alabama House Passes Controversial Sex Education Bill

4/11/2026

Center

Shelnutt Advances Abstinence Bill

The Alabama House passed Senate Bill 209 to revise sex education toward sexual-risk avoidance and abstinence-based instruction.
Senator Shay Shelnutt sponsored SB 209.
It adds digital-behavior content on cyberbullying and online predators, with 14 days' notice to parents and an opt-out option.
Representative Marilyn Lands criticized the bill for restricting contraception information and raising risks of sexual violence and unintended pregnancies.
The bill awaits Governor Kay Ivey's approval.

Right

Ivey Supports Law Enforcement

The Alabama Legislature passed the Alabama Law Enforcement Officers' Family Scholarship Act, providing up to $2,500 for families of long-serving officers.
Governor Kay Ivey emphasized supporting these families amid staffing shortages in law enforcement.
Senate Bill 361, Beau's Law, bans unlawful dog tethering and allows law enforcement to intervene.
Beau's Law also establishes a tiered penalty system.
Both measures await Governor Ivey's signature, with implementation set for October 1.

Left

Alabama Legislators Enact Laws

The Alabama Legislature passed a bill banning unlawful tethering of dogs, with penalties for violations.
It approved a bill limiting faculty senates at public colleges, requiring periodic reviews for tenured professors and giving boards final say on curriculum.
The Alabama House passed a bill requiring schools to display the Ten Commandments, drawing opposition over parental rights.
The session concluded amid tensions over a closed primary bill that failed to pass.

History

Historical Context

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 aimed to eliminate discrimination, significantly influencing law enforcement practices. In 2015, Alabama consolidated its law enforcement agencies into the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) to enhance efficiency. Recent initiatives, like the Alabama Law Enforcement Officers' Family Scholarship Act, reflect ongoing efforts to support law enforcement amid rising public scrutiny and staffing challenges.

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Shelnutt Advances Abstinence Bill

The Alabama House passed Senate Bill 209 to revise sex education toward sexual-risk avoidance and abstinence-based instruction.
Senator Shay Shelnutt sponsored SB 209.
It adds digital-behavior content on cyberbullying and online predators, with 14 days' notice to parents and an opt-out option.
Representative Marilyn Lands criticized the bill for restricting contraception information and raising risks of sexual violence and unintended pregnancies.
The bill awaits Governor Kay Ivey's approval.

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