HB178 Alabama 2025 Session

Updated Feb 22, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Mark GidleyRepresentative
Republican
Session: 2025 Regular Session
Title: Ten Commandments; required to be displayed in the common area of public K-12 schools
Summary: HB178 would require Alabama public K-12 schools and public colleges to display the Ten Commandments plus a context statement in common areas, funded by donations when possible.
What This Bill Does
The bill requires local boards of education and the governing bodies of public higher education to display a poster or framed document about the Ten Commandments and America's founding documents in entryways and in classrooms where U.S. history is taught, beginning January 1, 2026. The display must be at least 11 by 14 inches, have a layout approved by the State Superintendent, and include specific content describing the Ten Commandments and their historical role. Funding for the displays should come from donations or donated displays, not necessarily from public funds. The State Department of Education must identify free resources to help schools comply, and the State Board of Education and the Alabama Commission on Higher Education may adopt rules to implement the act, with the overall act becoming effective October 1, 2025.

Who It Affects
Local boards of education (K-12) — required to display the Ten Commandments and context statement in common areas and in U.S. history classrooms, using donated materials when available.
Governing bodies of public institutions of higher education — required to display the Ten Commandments and context statement under the same terms as K-12, with funding flexibility through donations.

Key Provisions
Display requirement: Starting January 1, 2026, local boards of education must place a poster or framed document meeting specific size, content, and layout requirements in designated school areas, funded by donations if available, and not required to spend public funds.
Resources and rules: The State Department of Education will identify free resources to help comply and list them publicly; the State Board of Education and the Alabama Commission on Higher Education may adopt rules to implement the act; the act becomes effective October 1, 2025.

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