House Bill 289 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Heath AllbrightRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Vital statistics; date of disposition on death certificates prohibited

Summary

HB289 would prohibit the date of disposition from being included on Alabama state death certificates, effective October 1, 2026.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, death certificates would not show the date when the deceased's remains were disposed. Other information on the death certificate, such as the date of death, manner of death, and location of disposition, would remain unless the rules say otherwise. The board would continue to set by rule which items appear on vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates and related reports), and filing/registration could continue to use photographic, electronic, or other means as approved by the State Registrar.

Who It Affects

• Families and heirs may benefit from greater privacy because the disposition date would not be listed on death certificates.
• Vital records offices, funeral homes, cemeteries, and State Registrar staff would need to update forms, data systems, and procedures to comply with the new rule.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 22-9A-6 to prohibit including the date of disposition on state-administered death certificates.
• The board shall by rule determine the items or information to be contained on birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates and related reports.
• Death certificates may not include a date of disposition.
• Information required on certificates or reports may be filed and registered by photographic, electronic, or other means as prescribed by the State Registrar.
• The act becomes effective on October 1, 2026.

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

Subjects

Government Administration