HB1 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mack N. ButlerRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Religious expression in schools, authorized, adoption of policy by local boards of education required, Alabama Student Religious Liberties Act of 2015

Summary

HB1 creates the Alabama Student Religious Liberties Act of 2015 to protect students’ religious expression in public schools, prohibit discrimination based on religion, and require districts to adopt policies and allow religious activities and groups.

What This Bill Does

The bill prohibits school districts from discriminating against students or parents for religious viewpoints. It requires schools to allow religious expression in homework, artwork, and other assignments and to treat such expression the same as other viewpoints. It also lets students pray or engage in religious activities before, during, and after the school day, allows religious groups to meet and access facilities, and requires districts to adopt a policy governing voluntary religious expression in schools.

Who It Affects

• Students and their parents in public schools, who may express religious viewpoints in coursework, wear religious symbols, organize or join religious groups, and participate in religious activities with equal treatment.
• Public school districts and boards of education (and school staff), who must implement the policy, ensure non-discrimination, provide access to facilities for religious groups, and maintain neutral sponsorship of student religious expression.

Key Provisions

• No discrimination by local boards of education against students or parents based on religious viewpoint or expression; such expression must be treated the same as secular viewpoints.
• Students may express religious beliefs in homework, artwork, and assignments; religious content must be evaluated using ordinary academic standards and not penalized or rewarded for its content.
• Students may pray or engage in religious activities before, during, and after the school day; religious groups may meet and have access to school facilities on the same basis as other noncurricular groups; districts may disclaim sponsorship but must not favor or disfavor religious groups.
• Students may wear clothing or symbols displaying religious messages or symbols like other types of clothing.
• Each district must adopt a policy governing voluntary religious expression to prevent discrimination and any attributions of school sponsorship.
• The act applies to all religions, does not establish a religion, and does not require participation or violate rights; it does not limit the school's authority to maintain order, safety, or enforce neutral policies.
• The act applies starting with the 2015-16 school year and becomes effective after the governor’s 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

Religion