HB21 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Patrick SellersRepresentative

Democrat

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Employees, annual leave to attend school related activities authorized

Summary

HB21 would allow eligible Alabama employees who are parents or guardians to take up to 48 hours of leave per year to attend their child's school-related activities.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, eligible employees could take up to 48 hours of leave within a 12-month period to attend school-related activities for their child. Leave may be unpaid or covered by paid leave chosen by the employee (such as vacation, personal, family, or leave banks). Employers may deny the leave if granting it would cause a substantial disruption to business operations. Employers must post notice of the act in the workplace, with penalties up to $100 per day for failing to post; enforcement would be handled by the Alabama Department of Workforce, and the act would take effect on October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Parents or guardians of school-age children who would be eligible to take up to 48 hours of leave per year to attend school-related activities.
• Employers in Alabama who must grant or deny leave within the rules, post notice, and may face penalties and enforcement actions.

Key Provisions

• Up to 48 hours of leave per 12-month period for school-related activities for a child of an eligible employee.
• Leave may be unpaid or substituted with any available paid leave chosen by the employee (including vacation, personal, family, compensatory, or leave bank).
• Employees must provide at least 10 days' advance written notice of the leave request, unless the activity was not reasonably foreseeable.
• Employers may deny leave if granting it would create a substantial disruption to business operations or make production or service unusually difficult.
• Employers must post and maintain notice of the act in a conspicuous place; failure to post can incur fines up to $100 per day.
• Enforcement of the act is by the Alabama Department of Workforce, with the act becoming effective October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 11, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Labor & Employment