HB43 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Reed IngramRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Public K-12 education; Pledge of Allegiance required each day, local boards of education required to vote whether to adopt policy allowing daily prayer and reading of religious text, constitutional amendment

Summary

HB43 would amend Alabama’s Constitution to require the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of each public K-12 school day and to authorize local boards to vote on a voluntary daily prayer and Bible-reading policy with consent forms, with state funding penalties for noncompliance.

What This Bill Does

It requires local boards to ensure the Pledge is recited at the start of the school day in public K-12 schools. Within 90 days of ratification, boards must vote on whether to adopt a policy allowing voluntary daily prayer and Bible readings, with consent forms for participation; participation must be voluntary and not replace instructional time. Violations can be reported and investigated by state education authorities, and persistent noncompliance could trigger withholding 25 percent of state funding for the offending board, with the Legislature also able to reduce funding further.

Who It Affects

• Public school students and employees in Alabama, who would be subject to the pledge requirement and could participate in voluntary prayer and Bible readings if consent forms are submitted.
• Local boards of education and state education authorities (State Superintendent of Education and the Legislature), who would implement, enforce, and fund compliance and sanctions.

Key Provisions

• Each local board of education must adopt a policy requiring the Pledge of Allegiance be recited at the start of each school day in public K-12 schools.
• Within 90 days of ratification, boards must vote on whether to adopt a policy allowing consenting employees and students to participate in daily prayer and Bible or other religious readings, with a consent form requirement.
• Consent forms must include: an acknowledgment of choice, a statement of no objection to participation, and an express waiver releasing liability relating to the policy.
• Participation in the prayer/reading policy cannot replace instructional time and cannot occur in the presence of individuals who have not consented.
• The State Superintendent of Education may withhold 25% of state funding from a local board that shows a continued pattern of noncompliance, with possible further reductions by the Legislature; investigations can be triggered by violations.
• If a local board fails to hold the required vote, the State Superintendent may require a vote within 90 days; continued failure can lead to funding reductions.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments Statewide