HB296 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rich Wingo

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Child Care Provider Inclusion Act, established, state prohibited from discriminating against child care service providers under certain conditions, civil remedies, provided for

Summary

The Alabama Child Care Provider Inclusion Act would protect child care providers from state discrimination or licensing penalties when they refuse to offer services that conflict with their religious beliefs, and would allow civil remedies for violations.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the bill would stop the state from denying licenses or taking adverse actions against licensed child care providers simply because they decline to perform services that conflict with their religious beliefs. It would allow individuals to sue for violations and recover attorney’s fees. The bill also clarifies that a provider’s decision to decline to provide or refer for child welfare services should not prevent other providers from offering those services, and it defines key terms related to licensing and care.

Who It Affects

• Child care service providers (individuals or organizations) who hold sincerely held religious beliefs and may decline to offer certain services, protected from discrimination or licensing penalties.
• State licensing and regulatory bodies that license or contract for child care services; they would be prohibited from discriminating against or taking adverse actions against providers for religious objections.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits the state from discriminating against or taking adverse actions against licensed child care providers who decline to provide services or carry out activities that conflict with their religious beliefs; allows civil remedies including attorney's fees.
• Defines terms such as adverse action, provider, and child care program; states that a provider's decline to provide or refer for certain services does not prevent other providers from offering those services; effective immediately 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

Child Care