HB240 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Anthony DanielsRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Extrauterine embryo not an unborn life and unborn child; Constitutional Amendment

Summary

HB240 would amend Alabama's Constitution to say that an extrauterine embryo is not an unborn life or unborn child, while reaffirming policies on unborn life and clarifying that abortion rights or funding are not guaranteed by the Constitution.

What This Bill Does

It adds a new constitutional provision (Section 36.06) stating public policy recognizes the sanctity of unborn life and the rights of unborn children, including the right to life. It also directs that the state protect the rights of the unborn child by lawful means. It explicitly says nothing in the constitution creates a right to abortion or requires funding for abortion. It further clarifies that an extrauterine embryo is not an unborn life or unborn child.

Who It Affects

• People seeking abortion: potential changes in how the constitution defines rights and funding related to abortion.
• Organizations and individuals working with extrauterine embryos (such as IVF clinics and researchers): their extrauterine embryos would not be considered 'unborn life' or 'unborn child' for constitutional purposes.

Key Provisions

• Proposes adding Section 36.06 to the Constitution to recognize the sanctity of unborn life and the rights of unborn children, including the right to life.
• Stipulates that the state will protect the rights of the unborn child in all lawful and appropriate ways.
• States that nothing in the Constitution secures a right to abortion or requires funding of abortion.
• Declares that for purposes of this section, an extrauterine embryo is not an 'unborn life' or 'unborn child.'
• After ratification, the Code Commissioner would insert the amendment into the Constitution and may perform minor, nonsubstantive revisions.

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

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments Statewide