HB99 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Kenneth PaschalRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Religious Organizations, Protect operations during a state of emergency

Summary

HB99 would protect religious institutions during emergencies by ensuring they are not subjected to harsher safety rules than secular providers and by allowing legal action if they are discriminated against.

What This Bill Does

The bill requires health and safety directives for religious institutions during emergencies to be no more burdensome than those for secular organizations that provide essential services, and any burdens must be the least restrictive means to achieve a compelling government interest. It prohibits state and local governments from discriminating against religious institutions operating during a state of emergency and allows these institutions to pursue civil action for discrimination or damages. It adds a new enforcement framework with remedies like declaratory relief, injunctive relief, damages, and attorney fees, and sets a two-year deadline to file such actions. It also codifies that religious institutions may continue or resume operations during emergencies if they comply with applicable safety directives and that those directives must be neutrally applied.

Who It Affects

• Religious institutions (such as churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, and affiliated ministries) would be protected from being treated more harshly than secular organizations and could sue for discrimination or damages if harmed.
• State and local governments and their agencies would be required to apply safety directives neutrally to religious institutions and could face civil actions or damages if discriminatory actions occur.

Key Provisions

• Religious institutions may not be burdened with safety precautions more restrictive than those applied to secular organizations providing essential services during a state of emergency; any burdens must be the least restrictive means to further a compelling government interest.
• The state and local governments may not discriminate against religious institutions for operating during a state of emergency; religious institutions may petition civil courts to prevent discriminatory actions or seek damages.
• New Section 31-9-26 prohibits discrimination or retaliation against religious institutions during or after a state of emergency, including actions like imposing stricter directives, denying tax-exempt status, restricting donations, imposing fines, interfering with worship, or withholding licenses or benefits.
• Remedies for religious institutions include declaratory relief, injunctive relief, compensatory damages, and reasonable attorney fees, with a two-year limit to file a civil action after discovery of discriminatory action.
• The act becomes effective October 1, 2024.
• Existing provisions regarding neutral health and safety directives and least-restrictive standards are applied to religious institutions during emergencies, ensuring parity with secular organizations.

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

Subjects

Discrimination & Civil Protections