HB24 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mack N. ButlerRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Vaccines; religious exemption for K-12 students further provided for, religious exemption for students at public institutions of higher education provided

Summary

HB24 expands vaccination exemptions by allowing parental religious declarations for K-12 and requiring public colleges and universities to provide both religious and medical exemptions for vaccine or testing requirements.

What This Bill Does

For K-12 students, the bill allows a parent or guardian to exempt their child from vaccine requirements using a simple written declaration based on religious beliefs. That religious exemption would not require an explanation or third-party certification. For public colleges and universities, vaccine or testing requirements would apply only if the institution offers both a religious exemption and a medical exemption, with religious exemptions available by written statement and medical exemptions by a medical authority's written certification. The act becomes effective on October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Public K-12 students and their parents/guardians: may obtain a religious exemption from vaccine requirements using a simple written declaration; medical exemptions remain available when supported by a medical authority.
• Public colleges and universities: must offer both religious and medical exemptions to vaccine or testing requirements, and cannot require vaccination or testing as a condition of enrollment or attendance unless both exemptions are provided.

Key Provisions

• K-12 religious exemptions: a parent/guardian's written declaration is sufficient to exempt a child from vaccine requirements based on religious beliefs.
• K-12 medical exemptions: exemptions remain available with documentation from a competent medical authority.
• Higher education exemptions: public colleges/universities must offer both religious and medical exemptions before enforcing any vaccine or testing requirements.
• Higher education religious exemption: obtained by a written statement; the student does not need to explain the reason or obtain third-party approval.
• Higher education medical exemption: requires a written certification from a competent medical authority.
• Enrollment/attendance condition: campuses cannot require vaccination or testing as a condition of enrollment or attendance unless both exemptions are offered.
• Effective date: the act takes effect on October 1, 2026.
• Citation: the act shall be known as the Alabama Vaccination Exemption Bill.

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

Subjects

Health