House Bill 246 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Susan DuBoseRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Posting of classroom curricula on school website, alternative review procedure provided for certain copyrighted materials

Summary

HB246 would require Alabama public schools to post current curricula online and provide an alternative way for parents to review copyrighted materials, along with teacher disclosures and a formal complaint and reporting process.

What This Bill Does

Public schools must post the current adopted curricula for each class on the school website within 30 days after adoption (or on the local board or State Department site if the school has no website). If posting online would violate copyright, schools must offer an alternative review method such as physical access during school hours or a 24-hour remote login, with access provided within 10 days of a written request. Teachers must provide detailed summaries of adopted materials, supplementary materials not adopted by the board, and classroom books, and list the titles of required reading on the class syllabus, available to parents on request. The bill creates a formal complaint process and annual reporting requirements, with student privacy protected under FERPA.

Who It Affects

• Parents and guardians — gain online access to curricula and a process to review copyrighted materials when online posting is restricted.
• Teachers and school staff — must post curricula, provide material summaries and syllabi, handle review requests and complaints, and participate in annual reporting.

Key Provisions

• Posting requirement: local superintendents must verify that current adopted curricula for every class are posted on the school website within 30 days of adoption (or on the local board/State DOE site if the school lacks a site).
• Copyright access option: if online posting would violate copyright, access to those materials must be provided via physical viewing at the school or a 24-hour remote login, with access within 10 days of a written request.
• No NDAs: reviewing materials may occur without any nondisclosure agreements and without waiving federal copyright rights.
• Syllabus and reading lists: teachers must include required reading titles on the class syllabus and provide detailed summaries of adopted and non-adopted materials and classroom books upon request.
• Complaint process: parents may file complaints with the local superintendent; unresolved complaints can be escalated to the State Superintendent with a state-provided form.
• Reporting and privacy: local superintendents report complaint numbers to the State Superintendent by Sept 1; the State reports statewide and by county by Oct 1; complaints remain educational records protected by FERPA.
• Effective date: the act takes effect 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

Education