HB186 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chip BrownRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to public K-12 schools, to allow a parent or legal guardian to opt his or her child out of policies requiring a face covering at certain locations.

Summary

HB186 would let a parent opt their child out of school mask requirements in public K-12 settings, including at school, at events, on buses, and at bus stops.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, it gives a parent or guardian the right to opt their child out of any policy that requires wearing a face covering by submitting a written notice to the school or local board of education. The opt-out would apply to masks at school, at school functions, on a school bus, or at a school bus stop. The law becomes effective on the first day of the third month after it is passed and approved by the Governor (or when it becomes law otherwise).

Who It Affects

• Parents or legal guardians of public K-12 students would have the explicit right to opt out their child from mask requirements by submitting written notice.
• School administrators and local boards of education would receive and process opt-out notices and would implement the opt-out in school policies.

Key Provisions

• Section 1: Establishes the right of a parent/guardian to opt a child out of any order or requirement to wear a face covering at school, at a school function, on a school bus, or at a school bus stop, by submitting written intent to the school or local board of education.
• Section 2: Sets the effective date as the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval (or upon becoming law otherwise).

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

Subjects

Public K-12 schools, parent ability to opt child out of face masking requirements at school, provided