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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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