HB6 Alabama 2023 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Kenneth PaschalRepresentative
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2023
Title: Relating to parental rights; to establish legislative findings relating to the fundamental rights of parents; and to provide that the government may not burden certain fundamental rights of parents.
Summary: HB6 recognizes parental rights to direct the upbringing of their children as fundamental and restricts government action that would burden those rights unless narrowly tailored to a compelling state interest.
What This Bill Does
It codifies that parents have a fundamental right to direct their children's education, upbringing, care, and control. The government may burden this right only if the burden is narrowly tailored to a compelling state interest and uses the least restrictive means. It does not authorize abuse or neglect and applies only to disputes involving parents and the government or third parties (not disputes between parents). It becomes effective on the first day of the third month after it is passed and approved by the Governor.

Who It Affects
Parents and legal guardians who gain explicit recognition of their fundamental rights to direct their children's education, upbringing, care, and control.
State and local government agencies and other parties involved in disputes with parents, who must apply a strict standard before limiting parental rights.
Children, who are indirectly protected by stronger safeguards for parental rights in upbringing and care disputes.

Key Provisions
Section 1(a): Establishes that parents have a fundamental right to direct their children's education, upbringing, care, and control.
Section 1(b): Government may burden this right only if the burden is narrowly tailored to a compelling state interest and uses the least restrictive means.
Section 1(c): Clarifies the provision does not authorize or permit child abuse or neglect.
Section 1(d): Applies only to disputes between parents and the government or third parties, and does not modify disputes between parents.
Section 2: Effective date—becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Parental rights, fundamental rights of parents provided for