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SB294 Alabama 2014 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026
Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor
Greg J. Reed
Greg J. Reed
Republican
Session
Regular Session 2014
Title
Hospitals, infants, pertussis information, required to provide information to new mothers
Summary

SB294 requires hospitals to give new parents pertussis information before a newborn is discharged.

What This Bill Does

Before discharging a newborn, hospitals must provide educational information about pertussis to parents. The information must include a statement about how serious pertussis can be and that vaccination is the most effective prevention, with guidance on where to get more information. The bill does not require hospitals to vaccinate or pay for vaccination. It also says hospitals and physicians are not liable for claims related to providing or not providing the information, and it does not change existing liability laws. The law would take effect six months after it becomes law.

Who It Affects
  • Hospitals and hospital staff who must provide the pertussis information to parents before discharge.
  • New parents or guardians of newborns who receive the pertussis information and the guidance it contains.
  • Hospitals and physicians, who are protected from legal claims related to providing or failing to provide the information.
Key Provisions
  • Hospitals must provide educational information on pertussis to parents during the postpartum period before discharge of a newborn.
  • The information must include a statement about the seriousness of pertussis and that vaccination is the most effective prevention, with sources for more information (physician, county health department, or Alabama Department of Public Health).
  • Hospitals are not required to provide or pay for pertussis vaccination.
  • The act does not establish a standard of care, does not modify liability laws, and physicians/hospitals are not liable for claims related to providing or not providing the information.
  • Effective date: the first day of the sixth month after passage.
AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects
Hospitals

Bill Actions

S

Forwarded to Executive Department on March 20, 2014

S

Assigned Act No. 2014-280.

S

Enrolled

H

Signature Requested

H

Concurred in Second House Amendment

S

Reed motion to Concur In and Adopt adopted Roll Call 1005

S

Concurrence Requested

H

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass adopted Roll Call 955

H

Motion to Adopt adopted Roll Call 954

H

Weaver first Substitute Offered

H

Third Reading Passed

H

Read for the second time and placed on the calendar

H

Read for the first time and referred to the House of Representatives committee on Health

S

Engrossed

S

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass adopted Roll Call 474

S

Reed motion to Adopt adopted Roll Call 473

S

Health first Substitute Offered

S

Third Reading Passed

S

Read for the second time and placed on the calendar with 1 substitute and

S

Read for the first time and referred to the Senate committee on Health

Bill Text

Download Enrolled PDF

Votes

Reed motion to Adopt

February 20, 2014 Senate Passed
Yes 28
Abstained 1
Absent 6

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass

February 20, 2014 Senate Passed
Yes 28
Abstained 1
Absent 6

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass

March 20, 2014 House Passed
Yes 89
Absent 15

Documents

Bill Text (Enrolled) SB294 Alabama 2014 Session - Enrolled
Bill Text (Engrossed) SB294 Alabama 2014 Session - Engrossed
Bill Text (Introduced) SB294 Alabama 2014 Session - Introduced

Source: Alabama Legislature