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AlabamaSB3422026 Regular SessionSenate

Education; CHOOSE Act's athletic-eligibility nondiscrimination provision, enforcement mechanism established; private right of action established

Sponsored By: Clyde Chambliss (Republican)

Enacted

Education

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Court protections for CHOOSE Act athletes

Alabama's CHOOSE Act students, their parents, and participating schools can sue K–12 athletic associations to stop covered actions. Students qualify even before program services begin. Courts can block sports restrictions when CHOOSE Act status is the deciding factor. Academic, transfer, and residency rules remain allowed when applied without regard to program status. Protection also covers punishment for participation under a court order enforcing the program's sports protections, and related retaliation for advocacy or support. Courts can issue temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions, or permanent injunctions, prioritizing student participation over keeping existing arrangements. Sufficient evidence of a covered action, or a likely one, establishes harm that money cannot fix. Courts must presume the balance of hardships favors granting an injunction unless the association proves otherwise with clear and convincing evidence.

Families gain damages claims and fee risks

CHOOSE Act students, parents, and participating schools can seek actual money losses directly caused by covered athletic association actions. Damages claims must be filed within two years of the challenged action; the law sets no fixed payment amount. Lawsuits can be filed in Montgomery County or the county where the participant lives, attends school, or operates a school. Courts may award court costs and reasonable lawyer fees to a winning participant. A winning association may also receive costs and lawyer fees under the Alabama Litigation Accountability Act.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Clyde Chambliss

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 222 • No: 10

House vote • 4/9/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1338

Yes: 104 • No: 1

Senate vote • 3/31/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1007

Yes: 30 • No: 2

Senate vote • 3/31/2026

Petition To Close Debate- Adopted Roll Call 1005

Yes: 25 • No: 7

Senate vote • 3/31/2026

Chambliss motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1006

Yes: 31 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/31/2026

Third Reading in House of Origin

Yes: 32 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Enacted

    4/15/2026Senate

  2. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1338

    4/9/2026House

  3. Ready to Enroll

    4/9/2026Senate

  4. Enrolled

    4/9/2026Senate

  5. Delivered to Governor

    4/9/2026Senate

  6. Signature Requested

    4/9/2026House

  7. Reported Out of Committee Second House

    4/7/2026House

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

    4/7/2026House

  9. Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means Education

    4/1/2026House

  10. Pending Committee Action in Second House

    4/1/2026House

  11. Third Reading in House of Origin

    3/31/2026Senate

  12. Chambliss 1st Amendment Offered

    3/31/2026Senate

  13. Petition To Close Debate- Adopted Roll Call 1005

    3/31/2026Senate

  14. Chambliss motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1006

    3/31/2026Senate

  15. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1007

    3/31/2026Senate

  16. Engrossed

    3/31/2026Senate

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

    3/19/2026Senate

  18. Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

    3/18/2026Senate

  19. Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance and Taxation Education

    3/5/2026Senate

  20. Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

    3/5/2026Senate

Bill Text

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