HB409 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Steve HurstRepresentative

Republican

Co-Sponsors

K.L. BrownKerry RichTerri CollinsPaul W. LeeApril WeaverWes LongRichard BaughnBecky NordgrenMac ButtramKurt WallaceJohn MerrillKen JohnsonDaniel H. BomanMark TuggleElaine BeechMary Sue McClurkinJeremy OdenElwyn ThomasTodd GreesonMac McCutcheonJay LoveJack WilliamsJoe FaustAlan BakerDuwayne BridgesMicky HammonGreg WrenAllen TreadawayRichard J. LairdAlan BootheDarrio Melton

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Persons, defined to include all humans from moment of fertilization, const. amend.

Summary

HB409 would redefine the Alabama Constitution to treat a 'person' as including every human from fertilization (or its functional equivalent).

What This Bill Does

It proposes an amendment to define 'person' in the Alabama Constitution as including any human being from the moment of fertilization or the functional equivalent. If adopted, this would establish personhood from fertilization in state law, affecting how the constitution and laws treat embryos or fertilized eggs. The bill also lays out the process to vote on the amendment and the exact ballot language that would be used.

Who It Affects

• Unborn humans (embryos/fetuses) would be recognized as persons under the state constitution.
• Medical providers, clinics, and others involved with embryos or reproductive issues could be affected by new personhood status in state law.

Key Provisions

• Proposes an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901 to define the term 'person' as including any human being from the moment of fertilization or the functional equivalent thereof.
• Provides that the amendment shall be approved by a majority of qualified electors and in accordance with Sections 284-287 of the Alabama Constitution and related election laws.
• Requires the election official to assign a ballot number and include a description of the amendment, followed by 'Yes ( ) No ( )' on the ballot.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments