Protect Your Right To Religious Exemption In Alabama

Alabama legislators are considering two bills affecting parental rights to religious exemptions from vaccinations.

HB 503 improves Alabama parents’ rights to exercise a religious exemption without unnecessary government interference by doing the following:

Improve the religious exemption process for public K–12 students by allowing parents to bypass the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) and submit a written exemption directly to their local Board of Education.

Remove the “epidemic exception,” ensuring exemptions remain valid even during declared public health emergencies.

Allows public colleges and universities to mandate vaccines only if they offer both medical and religious exemptions, without requiring approval from third parties.

SB 85, on the other hand, initially mirrored HB 503, but an amendment added a harmful requirement. This bill now burdens the religious exemption process by allowing government interference in a family’s deeply held beliefs, requiring parents to submit a physical evaluation form with their exemption statement.

HB 503 was referred to the House Health Committee on 4/1/2025. SB 85 was placed on the House regular calendar on 5/6/2025 and passed the Senate on 4/3/2025.

Please help us say no to governmental overreach today!

TAKE ACTION

Contact your Alabama State Representative and urge them to OPPOSE SB 85 and SUPPORT the House version of the bill, HB 503.

You can enter your address here to look up who represents you (then scroll down to see your legislators listed under “State House District.”)

Calls are more effective than emails and only take a few minutes. Below is a Sample Script, and there are additional Talking Points after the second action item. Use your own words when you call or email – a personal message is always more effective than a form message!

SAMPLE SCRIPT

“My name is ____, and I live in (town). I’m calling to urge Representative_____ to SUPPORT HB 503 and OPPOSE SB 85.

HB 503 protects Alabama parents’ rights to claim a religious exemption. It strengthens those rights and removes unnecessary government barriers.

In contrast, SB 85, with its amendment, threatens those rights by adding unconstitutional requirements and placing undue burdens on families.

Protecting religious freedom is essential to maintaining trust in public institutions and honoring Alabama’s tradition of individual liberty.

Please stand with Alabama families and defend our constitutional rights.”

TALKING POINTS

HB 503 affirms the right of parents to make medical decisions for their children based on sincerely held religious beliefs.

HB 503 removes unnecessary government barriers to religious exemptions, keeping the process clear and respecting families’ values.

HB 503 ensures that families are not subject to invasive or discriminatory requirements when exercising their constitutional rights.

SB 85 undermines religious freedom by requiring a government-approved medical form to accompany a religious exemption.

SB 85 allows government officials to interfere in deeply personal, faith-based decisions—something that has no place in a free society.

SB 85 imposes an unnecessary burden on parents who are acting in accordance with their sincerely held beliefs.

SB 85 sets a dangerous precedent by tying religious rights to medical documentation, eroding the very meaning of a religious exemption.

As a lawmaker, you have a responsibility to defend the First Amendment rights of your constituents. Requiring families to compromise their faith to comply with government mandates violates deeply held beliefs and opens the door to further erosion of individual liberties.

When the state honors religious convictions without coercion or penalty, it demonstrates integrity and fairness, especially in health-related decisions that intersect with personal values. Preserving this right reinforces Alabama’s long-standing tradition of individual liberty and limited government.

MORE INFORMATION:

https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/files/pdf/SearchableInstruments/2025RS/HB503-int.pdf – text of HB 503

For status and history of HB 503, click HERE and enter “503” in the “Quick Search” field at the top right and click “Search Bills.”

https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/files/pdf/SearchableInstruments/2025RS/SB85-int.pdf – text of SB 85 For status and history of SB 85, click HERE and enter “85” in the “Quick Search” field at the top right and click “Search Bills.”

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