ALABAMA LEGISLATURE RACES AGAINST TIME TO PASS KEY EDUCATION BILLS
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – With only five days left in the 2025 legislative session, Alabama lawmakers are under pressure to finalize a range of significant bills impacting education and social issues. Legislative priorities will shape discussions when the session resumes on Tuesday.
Among the critical bills is the FOCUS Act, aimed at limiting cell phone use in the classroom. Sponsored by Sen. Donnie Chesteen and Rep. Leigh Hulsey, this measure seeks to enhance classroom environments and has garnered support from Governor Kay Ivey, who emphasized its urgency in her state address.
Another important proposal is Senate Bill 278, which would permit students to leave school for religious education. Advocates claim it supports local control, while critics argue it imposes unnecessary mandates. The bill awaits consideration in the House after a prior similar proposal failed.
On the cultural front, contentious measures concerning gender identity and free speech are also on the docket. House Bill 244 expands classroom restrictions on discussions of sexual orientation from K-5 to pre-K through 12. Concurrently, House Bill 246 aims to prevent teachers from addressing students with names or pronouns that differ from their biological gender without parental consent.
Several educational reforms are also in play, including the REACH Act, which facilitates the reintegration of at-risk students, and the Move On When Ready Act, allowing eligible high school juniors and seniors to enroll full-time in college courses.
As the clock ticks down, legislators face challenging decisions about which bills to prioritize in this last phase of the session, with many hoping for impactful changes to Alabama’s educational landscape.
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