HB213 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mack N. ButlerRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Parental right, to make decisions regarding child's education, upbringing, and care

Summary

HB213 would recognize a parent's right to direct their child's upbringing, education, and care as a fundamental right and limit government interference.

What This Bill Does

It codifies that parental decisions about upbringing, education, and care are a fundamental right. It prohibits the state, its agencies, or localities from infringing on that right unless they can show their governmental interest is of the highest order. It also references supporting case law and sets when the act takes effect once enacted.

Who It Affects

• Parents and guardians: gain a recognized fundamental right to direct their child's upbringing, education, and care.
• State, agencies, and localities (including schools and other government entities): must respect this right and may infringe only if they demonstrate a government interest of the highest order.

Key Provisions

• Section 1: Intent to codify the opinion of Ex parte E.R.G. and related U.S. Supreme Court case law on fit parents' fundamental rights.
• Section 2: The liberty of a parent to direct the upbringing, education, and care of a child is a fundamental right.
• Section 3: Neither the state nor any agency or locality shall infringe this right without demonstrating that its governmental interest as applied to the person is of the highest order and not otherwise served.
• Section 4: The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor (or its otherwise becoming law).

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

Subjects

Parental Rights