Alabama Committee Passes HB322 Bill

On the last day of the legislative session, the state Senate passed what LGBTQ advocates have described as a combined “bathroom bill” and “Don’t Say Gay” bill. The bill, HB 322, would bar transgender students from using sex-segregated school facilities that align with their gender identities.

Just before passing the bill, the Senate added an amendment that prohibits classroom discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-5 — adopting language used in a bill recently signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis that critics have dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

A few hours later, the Alabama House passed SB 184, a bill that would make it a felony for parents and medical professionals to provide gender-affirming medical care, such as puberty blockers, hormones, and surgery, to people 18 and under in the state.

SB 184 has been approved by both chambers and now heads to the desk of Gov. Kay Ivey. The House will have to approve the amended version of HB 322 before sending it to the governor. Ivey, a Republican, hasn’t said whether she will sign either of the bills, but she signed a measure last year that bars transgender girls and women from playing on female school sports teams.

Republican Rep. Scott Stadthagen, the sponsor of the bathroom bill, said the bill is meant to protect girls.