SB18 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald H. AllenSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Arthur OrrJ.T. WaggonerRusty GloverBill HightowerJerry L. FieldingGreg J. ReedDel Marsh

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Schools, allow school district to educate students about traditional winter celebrations and offer traditional greetings

Summary

SB18 would let Alabama school districts educate students about traditional winter celebrations and allow greetings, clothing, and related activities and displays, as long as they do not promote a particular religion.

What This Bill Does

It permits each school district to educate students about the history of traditional winter celebrations. It allows students and district staff to offer traditional greetings (like Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, or Happy Holidays) and to wear clothing or apparel that contains these greetings. It also allows traditional holiday activities and temporary displays or symbols related to winter celebrations, with the requirement that they do not endorse any religion and include a disclaimer that there is no religious endorsement. The act defines school districts to include public schools and sets an effective date for when it would take effect.

Who It Affects

• Students in Alabama public schools, who may be educated about the history of winter celebrations, exchange greetings, wear related clothing, and participate in related activities and displays.
• School district staff and administrators, including teachers, who may plan, conduct, and oversee educational activities and displays related to winter celebrations while ensuring neutrality toward religion.

Key Provisions

• Allows education about the history of traditional winter celebrations within each school district.
• Permits students and district staff to give traditional greetings (e.g., Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays).
• Allows wearing clothing or apparel that contains traditional winter greetings or acknowledgments.
• Authorizes organizing and conducting traditional holiday activities (concerts, plays, songs, etc.) as educational activities, provided they do not promote a specific religion.
• Allows temporary displays of winter symbols or scenes (e.g., menorah, nativity, Christmas tree) if they fairly represent the history and are not endorsements of a religion.
• Requires displays or activities to avoid messages endorsing a particular religion and to include a disclaimer that there is no endorsement of any religion.
• Defines 'school district' to include any public school within the district.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

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

Subjects

Schools