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HB 21

FOIA/LOCAL RECORDS-JUNK MAIL

104th Regular Session Introduced by Dan Didech

HB 21 allows parents to take up to 48 hours of unpaid or paid leave annually for school activities, promoting parental involvement in education while balancing employer needs.

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Bill Summary · HB 21

Summary of HB 21: Employees, Annual Leave to Attend School-Related Activities Authorized

Bill Overview

Bill Number: HB 21
Title: Employees, Annual Leave to Attend School-Related Activities Authorized
Introduced: June 25, 2025
Status: Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Commerce and Small Business
Effective Date: October 1, 2026
Classification: Bill
Subject: Labor & Employment

Purpose and Intent

HB 21 aims to establish the Parental Right to Participate in Schools Act, which would allow employees who are parents or guardians of school-age children to take time off from work to attend school-related activities. The bill seeks to support parental involvement in education by providing a structured leave policy.

Key Provisions

  • Leave Entitlement:

    • Employees who are parents or guardians can take up to 48 hours of leave annually to attend school-related activities.
    • Leave can be unpaid or substituted with any available paid leave (e.g., vacation, personal, family leave) at the employee's discretion.

  • Notice Requirements:

    • Employees must provide at least 10 days' advance written notice for leave requests, unless the school-related activity is not foreseeable.

  • Employer Rights:

    • Employers may deny leave if granting it would cause a substantial disruption to business operations or make production unusually difficult.

  • Employer Obligations:

    • Employers are required to post and maintain notice of this act in a conspicuous location within the workplace.
    • Failure to post the required notice may result in a fine of up to $100 per day for each day the notice remains unposted.

  • Enforcement:

    • The Alabama Department of Workforce will be responsible for enforcing the provisions of this act.
    • Employees can file complaints regarding violations with the Department.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Employees: Parents or guardians of school-age children who wish to participate in school-related activities.
  • Employers: Any business entity employing one or more individuals within the state of Alabama.

Procedural Aspects

  • The bill was introduced on June 25, 2025, and has been referred to the House Committee on Commerce and Small Business for further consideration.
  • The first reading in the House occurred on January 13, 2026.
  • If passed, the provisions of the act will take effect on October 1, 2026.

Conclusion

HB 21 represents a significant step towards enhancing parental involvement in education by formalizing the right to take leave for school-related activities. It balances the needs of employees with the operational requirements of employers, while also establishing a framework for enforcement and compliance.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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