HB391 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Scott StadthagenRepresentative

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Russell BedsoleChip BrownTracy EstesBob FincherDanny GarrettTommy HanesSteve HurstGil IsbellJamie KielWes KitchensNathaniel LedbetterCraig LipscombRhett MarquesCharlotte MeadowsArnold MooneyParker MooreBecky NordgrenEd OliverChris PringleRex ReynoldsProncey RobertsonGinny ShaverRandall SheddVan SmithAndrew SorrellJeff SorrellsKyle SouthDavid StandridgeShane StringerRodney SullivanRich WingoDebbie Wood

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Schools, public K-12, athletic events allowing competition by one biological gender against another prohibited unless the event specifically includes both genders

Summary

HB391 would bar public K-12 schools in Alabama from participating in or sponsoring interscholastic events where athletes of different biological genders compete, unless the event includes both genders.

What This Bill Does

It would prohibit public K-12 schools from participating in, sponsoring, or coaching interscholastic events that pit athletes of different biological genders against each other unless the event is open to both genders. It would also prevent a biological female from joining a male team if there is a female team, and it would never allow a biological male to join a female team. The rules do not apply to events in which both biological males and biological females are permitted to participate.

Who It Affects

• Public K-12 schools and their athletic staff, who must follow these participation and sponsorship rules for interscholastic events.
• Biological male and biological female student-athletes, whose eligibility to compete or join certain teams would be restricted by birth-based gender rules.

Key Provisions

• Public K-12 schools may not participate in, sponsor, or provide coaching staff for interscholastic athletic events that include competition between athletes of different biological genders, unless the event includes both biological genders.
• A public K-12 school may not allow a biological female to participate on a male team if there is a female team, and may never allow a biological male to participate on a female team.
• The restrictions do not apply to athletic events where both biological males and biological females are permitted to participate.
• The rule applies to events scheduled by or conducted under Alabama athletic associations that permit or allow events exclusively for males or exclusively for females by birth certificate.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and Governor's approval (roughly July 2021).

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Schools