HB615 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris EnglandRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Civil Rights, provide right of a person to be free from discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or familial status; remedies provided

Summary

HB615 would declare that freedom from discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or familial status is a civil right in Alabama and create remedies for violations.

What This Bill Does

It protects people from discrimination in employment, access to public facilities, housing, credit, and voting. It defines who is protected and what counts as discrimination, including terms like disability and gender identity. It allows individuals injured by discrimination to file civil actions to stop the behavior and seek damages (compensatory and punitive), back pay (limited to two years prior), and attorney fees. It also provides a religious exemption for employment by religious organizations performing religious activities. The act would take effect on the first day of the third month after governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Employees and job applicants in Alabama who would be protected from workplace discrimination and could sue for violations.
• Consumers, renters, borrowers, and voters in Alabama who would gain protections in housing, public accommodations, credit, and political participation.

Key Provisions

• Recognizes the right to be free from discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or familial status as a civil right (sex includes pregnancy-related conditions).
• Prohibits employment discrimination by employers with nine or more employees and allows court-ordered relief, back pay (capped at two years prior), compensatory damages, punitive damages, and attorney fees.
• Protects rights in housing, access to public accommodations and facilities, and in credit and contractual transactions, and protects voting and political participation.
• Provides definitions for key terms (disability, gender identity, employer, employee, place of public resort, etc.) and includes a religious exemption for religious organizations in certain employment.
• Allows civil actions to stop violations and recover remedies; becomes effective on the first day of the third month after 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

Civil Rights