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AlabamaHB782026 Regular SessionHouse

Early childhood education; guidelines for limited screen time for children in certain licensed child-care facilities, certain preschools, and public kindergarten established, annual training requirement for teachers and certain staff members established, Department of Early Childhood Education, Department of Human Resources, and State Board of Education authorized to implement and enforce limited screen time requirements

Sponsored By: Jeana Ross (Republican)

Enacted

Children

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Free screen-time guidance for Alabama families

Beginning January 1, 2027, Alabama agencies must develop research-based screen-time guidance for children from birth through age five. The Department of Early Childhood Education must publish it free on its website. It covers play, reading, physical activity, caregiver-child interaction, and the risks of too much screen time. It also explains ways to build screen-free routines at home.

New screen-time limits for young children

Beginning January 1, 2027, Alabama sets screen-time standards for licensed child care serving children five and younger, prekindergarten, and public kindergarten. Related after-school, extended-day, and summer programs are also covered. Screen time is banned for children under two; older children must have age-appropriate limits and active adult supervision. Screens cannot unreasonably replace teaching, reading, hands-on learning, or outdoor play, and background television and passive viewing are banned. Programming standards consider age, pacing, violence, and advertising harmful to children. Exceptions cover screen use required by an Individualized Education Program, Section 504 plan, or Individualized Health Plan. Required kindergarten diagnostic tests and locally approved virtual schools or programs are also exempt. Live, interactive video calls do not count as screen time.

Screen-time rules for providers and teachers

Beginning January 1, 2027, covered teachers and staff who closely supervise children must complete screen-time training every year. State agencies must develop training on screen standards and alternatives; training can differ by program type. Day care centers, day care homes, group day care homes, and night care facilities must follow screen-time policies as a licensing condition. Human Resources must add these policies to licensing standards and check compliance during inspections. Covered prekindergarten programs must also follow policies included in the state's Office of School Readiness guidelines, with state compliance monitoring. For child-care and prekindergarten violations, additional training comes first; continued failures can lead to correction plans. Local school boards must adopt public kindergarten policies by the 2027-2028 school year, and principals enforce them. Kindergarten teachers who fail to comply must receive additional training first. Continued violations can trigger educator ethics discipline, including corrective action with the local superintendent's approval.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jeana Ross

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Alan Baker

    Republican • House

  • Arnold Mooney

    Republican • House

  • Bill Lamb

    Republican • House

  • Chris Sells

    Republican • House

  • David Faulkner

    Republican • House

  • Donna Givens

    Republican • House

  • Frances Holk-Jones

    Republican • House

  • Ginny Shaver

    Republican • House

  • Jamie Kiel

    Republican • House

  • Jennifer Fidler

    Republican • House

  • Leigh Hulsey

    Republican • House

  • Mike Kirkland

    Republican • House

  • Rex Reynolds

    Republican • House

  • Rick Rehm

    Republican • House

  • Scott Stadthagen

    Republican • House

  • Susan DuBose

    Republican • House

  • Terri Collins

    Republican • House

  • William Brock Colvin

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 368 • No: 3

Senate vote • 2/26/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 657

Yes: 33 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/26/2026

Third Reading in Second House

Yes: 33 • No: 0

House vote • 1/27/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 169

Yes: 101 • No: 1 • Other: 1

House vote • 1/27/2026

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 168

Yes: 101 • No: 1 • Other: 1

House vote • 1/27/2026

Third Reading in House of Origin

Yes: 100 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Enacted

    3/4/2026House

  2. Third Reading in Second House

    2/26/2026Senate

  3. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 657

    2/26/2026Senate

  4. Ready to Enroll

    2/26/2026House

  5. Ready to Enroll

    2/26/2026House

  6. Enrolled

    2/26/2026House

  7. Signature Requested

    2/26/2026Senate

  8. Delivered to Governor

    2/26/2026House

  9. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    2/5/2026Senate

  10. Reported Out of Committee Second House

    2/4/2026Senate

  11. Third Reading in House of Origin

    1/27/2026House

  12. Education Policy 1st Substitute Offered

    1/27/2026House

  13. Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 168

    1/27/2026House

  14. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 169

    1/27/2026House

  15. Engrossed

    1/27/2026House

  16. Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Education Policy

    1/27/2026Senate

  17. Pending Committee Action in Second House

    1/27/2026Senate

  18. Education Policy 1st Substitute

    1/21/2026House

  19. Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

    1/21/2026House

  20. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    1/21/2026House

  21. Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Education Policy

    1/13/2026House

  22. Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

    1/13/2026House

Bill Text

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