HB139 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rolanda HollisRepresentative

Democrat

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Discrimination, unlawful to deny an individual full and equal enjoyment of public accommodations based on protected classes; unlawful for a local school board to discriminate against individual based on protected classes; unlawful for employer or labor organization board to discriminate against employee or member based on protected classes; state cause of action created

Summary

HB139 would ban discrimination in public accommodations, schools, and employment based on protected classes and create a state private right of action to enforce it.

What This Bill Does

It makes it unlawful to deny full and equal enjoyment of goods, services, facilities, or accommodations at places of public accommodation due to race, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin, with certain exemptions. It also bars local school boards from discriminating against individuals based on these protected classes. It prohibits employers, employment agencies, and labor organizations from discriminating in hiring, pay, or other terms of employment, and creates a state-caused action allowing individuals to sue for relief. Courts can order compliance, compensate losses, award punitive damages if willful, and may grant attorney fees to the prevailing party; plaintiffs cannot be charged fees or costs. The act takes effect October 1, 2025, and includes exemptions for private clubs, certain housing arrangements, and religious organizations.

Who It Affects

• Individuals denied access to goods, services, or facilities at public places because of protected characteristics (race, religion, sex, age, disability, national origin).
• Employees, job applicants, and members of labor organizations who face discrimination by employers, employment agencies, or labor organizations (and individuals affected by school-board discrimination).

Key Provisions

• Defines 'place of public accommodation' and lists exemptions for private clubs, certain housing, and religious organizations.
• Prohibits denial of goods, services, or facilities in public accommodations based on race, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin.
• Prohibits discrimination by local school boards based on protected classes.
• Prohibits discriminatory employment practices by employers, employment agencies, and labor organizations; protects against discrimination where protected status is a motivating factor unless a legitimate nondiscriminatory reason exists.
• Establishes a private right of action with remedies including compliance, back pay, punitive damages for willful violations, and attorney fees for prevailing plaintiffs; no fees or court costs for plaintiffs.

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