HB520 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ernie YarbroughRepresentative

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Health; discrimination by certain entities against individuals who refuse certain immunizations, drugs, or facial coverings for reasons of conscience prohibited; civil cause of action for violations provided; Attorney General authorized to defend an entity subject to related federal penalties

Summary

HB520 bans discrimination by employers, public accommodations, hospitals/health plan insurers, and licensing boards against individuals who refuse certain immunizations, drugs, or facial coverings for conscience or religious reasons, and creates enforcement and remedies.

What This Bill Does

Prohibits discrimination based on immunization status or refusal to wear facial coverings by employers, places of public accommodation, hospitals/health plan insurers, and occupational licensing boards. Allows individuals to seek injunctions and remedies for violations; authorizes the Attorney General to sue violators and to defend in cases involving federal penalties or mandates. Defines key terms and sets an effective date of June 1, 2025. Includes an exception that a surgical mask worn during procedures is not considered a facial covering under this act.

Who It Affects

• Employees or job applicants who refuse immunizations, vaccines, drugs, gene editing technology, or facial coverings for conscience or religious reasons, protected from discrimination in hiring, promotion, or pay.
• Individuals who interact with places of public accommodation, hospitals, or health plan insurers (including patients and customers) or licensing applicants/licensees, whose immunization status or refusal to wear a facial covering cannot be used to deny services or licenses.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits discrimination by employers and prospective employers based on immunization status, including refusal of biologics, vaccines, drugs, gene editing technology, RNA-based products, or facial coverings for conscience reasons; applies to hiring, promotion, training, compensation, and other terms of employment.
• Prohibits discrimination by places of public accommodation based on immunization status or refusal to wear a facial covering; ensures full and equal enjoyment of goods, services, facilities, and accommodations.
• Prohibits hospitals and health plan insurers from denying services or coverage based on immunization status or refusal to wear a facial covering, with an exception for surgical masks during procedures.
• Prohibits occupational licensing boards from denying or suspending a license due to an applicant's or licensee's immunization status.
• Provides for enforcement through injunctions, civil actions by the Attorney General, and attorney fees; allows the AG to defend or participate in suits involving federal penalties or mandates; defines key terms.

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

Subjects

Health