SB3 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Shay ShelnuttSenator

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Public K-12 schools, sex education (sex ed) curriculum further provided for, sexual risk avoidance established as sex ed curriculum, policies of local boards of education related to sex ed further provided for, parent or guardian notice of sex ed curriculum required, Attorney General authorized to enforce

Summary

SB3 would require Alabama public K-12 sex education to teach sexual risk avoidance with an emphasis on abstinence, restrict abortion information and contraceptive demonstrations, require parental notice and opt-out, and empower the Attorney General to enforce the changes starting October 1, 2026.

What This Bill Does

It would require sex education curricula to exclusively teach sexual risk avoidance and promote abstinence. It would require information about the costs of pregnancy, child care, abortion, adoption, and parenting responsibilities. It would prohibit abortion referrals, misrepresentation of contraception efficacy, and sexually explicit images. It would restrict boards from using providers that do not endorse risk avoidance or that advocate or perform abortions, require at least 14 days of advance written notice to parents with an option to opt out for their child, and authorize enforcement by the Attorney General, with a start date of October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Students in Alabama public K-12 schools will receive abstinence-focused sex education and may opt out of content.
• Parents or guardians of these students will receive advance notice and have the option to opt their child out.

Key Provisions

• Requires sexual risk avoidance as the exclusive framework for sex education, with abstinence as the recommended standard.
• Curriculum must include information on the costs and responsibilities of pregnancy, child care, abortion, adoption, and parenting.
• Prohibits abortion referrals, misrepresentation of contraception efficacy, and sexually explicit images in curriculum.
• Local boards may not use educators or organizations that do not endorse risk avoidance or that advocate or perform abortions.
• Parents must receive at least 14 days' written notice before content is taught, with an option to opt out; student penalty-free opt-out.
• Attorney General authorized to enforce the act, including through injunctive relief; effective 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

Education