HB494 Alabama 2014 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Mike Jones
Republican
Co-Sponsors: John Merrill Ed Henry Kurt Wallace Lynn Greer David Sessions Ken Johnson Becky Nordgren Paul Beckman Jack Williams Randall Shedd April Weaver Alan Baker Terri Collins Mark Tuggle Micky Hammon Kerry Rich Mary Sue McClurkin
Session: Regular Session 2014
Title: Abortion, minors, definition of alt., written parental consent required, procedure by physicians required, Secs. 26-21-1 to 26-21-4, inclusive, 26-21-7 am'd., Secs. 26-21-6.1 added
Summary: HB494 tightens Alabama's parental consent rules for minors seeking abortions, adds strict ID/document requirements, creates civil penalties for noncompliance, and introduces a court-by-pass process and guardian ad litem for unborn interests.
What This Bill Does
It requires a minor’s parent or legal guardian to sign an abortion consent in the presence of the provider, with verified identification and proof of guardianship or emancipation. Emancipated minors must provide emancipation documents, and records must be kept for four years; coercion of a minor to have an abortion is prohibited. The bill creates civil penalties for violations, including possible license suspension for providers and professional discipline, and it allows civil damages under a new provision. It also adds a judicial bypass process for minors who cannot obtain consent, appoints a guardian ad litem to represent the unborn child in certain cases, and establishes confidentiality and expedited appeal procedures for bypass decisions.

Who It Affects
Minors under 18 seeking abortion: must obtain parental consent with proof of identity and guardianship, with a potential bypass option if consent cannot be obtained.
Parents/guardians: must sign the consent in the presence of the provider and provide appropriate identification and documentation; subject to penalties if noncompliant.
Emancipated minors: may consent to abortion with certified emancipation documentation.
Abortion providers and physicians: face new compliance requirements, potential civil and license penalties for violations, and liability protections if they follow the law.
Department of Public Health: must develop standard consent and emancipation forms.
Courts (juvenile court) and guardians ad litem: handle bypass petitions and may appoint guardians ad litem to represent the unborn child.
District attorneys and law enforcement: participate in bypass proceedings as state representatives.

Key Provisions
Consent must be signed in the presence of the abortion provider or their agents, with required identification and evidence; proof of parentage or legal guardianship is required; emancipation documents must be certified.
Prohibits coercion of a minor to obtain an abortion; Department of Public Health to develop standard forms for consent and emancipation.
Consent forms and related documents must be kept on file for four years; signatures must be attested by two witnesses or a notary; alternative identification allowed if written under oath.
A minor may petition the juvenile court for a waiver of the consent requirement if consent cannot be obtained; the court process is confidential and provides for attorney representation and guardian ad litem as needed.
Civil actions for violations are allowed, including professional disciplinary actions, license suspensions, and damages; the Medical Liability Act does not apply to these civil actions; physicians complying with the act are shielded from certain liability.
The act creates a guardian ad litem to represent the unborn child in proceedings and provides for rights of intervention by the state and other parties; there are expedited, confidential appeals if consent is not waived.

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