[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6577355,"mediaKeyId","3155018-17fb687a035158c0b757ea9e257e74ea","parentId",3155018,"title","House approves bill allowing police to require protesters to remove medical masks for ID; debate over rights and health exemptions","audioSeconds",2473,"startMs",6127000,"endMs",8600000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3155018-17fb687a035158c0b757ea9e257e74ea&start=6127&end=8600","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3155018-17fb687a035158c0b757ea9e257e74ea/thumbnail_6127000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6577355/Alabama/House-approves-bill-allowing-police-to-require-protesters-to-remove-medical-masks-for-ID-debate-over-rights-and-health-exemptions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6577355-4787d3a8e0393f311f87529632b4d6ad/orig.mp4?Expires=1771054197&Signature=ibH5VslJLAT-ixLQ1rymJ9LP5J8MBoZzsh6UmQ3MSfmRA9CU4CZ6qCYtgR6-6GYM~wuecnvjrN9oXBwOE31hOdM0CbqmMn1kAYXAhgloAN~ZPeUK4jCRQPIAmSZ~O~MVS7igVUpY549azs42sgJC~EKBMmwIo~PWvuhcMg-ReX-rqr28pX-WKWRoH0GKpVXt49pHyRMvw~9CyQG~V3E09yzgyyMxdovfYOvXlpHbOISzm1GEy9ZeRQ4sIedJbISxlN0JpO8wPly3p7ZCvuoXMIrmqhDisyrDus2QgucvKCYm0S5J9D6ybN22boS7cx9QmEyyKeZKJX8Ejsz1d12NRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alabama House Sessions","date","2025-04-30T04:39:02.327Z","article","The Alabama House narrowly approved HB 559 after an extended and often heated floor debate in which members expressed sharply different views on public‑assembly rights, public safety and health privacy.

What the bill says: The bill amends loitering statutes to add surgical‑grade or medical face coverings worn during protests, demonstrations or public assemblies to the list of conditions under which law enforcement or a property owner may request that an individual remove a face covering for identification. The bill creates three exceptions: (1) the wearer has documented guidance from a health‑care provider, (2) the wearer is complying with a state of emergency order, or (3) the wearer's face covering is intended to prevent the spread of infectious disease.

Enforcement and process: At the House debate lawmakers clarified the process: a law‑enforcement officer or property owner may request temporary removal of a mask for identification; officers may require medical documentation if an exemption is claimed. Supporters framed the bill as targeted at demonstrators who intentionally conceal identity; critics warned the measure could chill constitutionally protected protest and create privacy and medical‑privacy burdens — and could exacerbate unequal policing.

Debate highlights: The floor heated up for more than an hour. Representative Kiel, sponsor of the bill, said it was narrowly focused on demonstrations and would allow officers to identify people who might be committing crimes while masked. Opponents — including Representative Hall, Representative Campbell and many others — argued the bill could require people to produce medical documentation in public to invoke legitimate exemptions, and raised concerns about unintended consequences for people with chronic conditions, immune‑suppressed family members, or disability‑related needs to wear masks. Multiple members related personal stories about family members who depend on masks for health reasons.

Outcome: The House passed the measure by roll call (704 ayes, 22 nays). Supporters said the bill balances public‑safety needs and limited exemptions; opponents said it risks chilling protest and imposing medical‑privacy burdens.

Next steps: The bill now moves to the Senate, where members said they intend to examine the practical and civil‑liberties impacts and work on language clarifications.

Ending: Sponsors said law enforcement would have discretion and that the measure was not intended to target lawful public‑health‑driven mask use; critics urged careful review to avoid eroding protest protections or creating unnecessary public‑health burdens.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Alabama House","oneSentenceSummary","The Alabama House passed HB 559 after lengthy debate; the law lets police or property owners require temporary removal of medical/surgical masks for identification during protests or public assemblies unless the wearer has a documented medical exemption or is acting under a public‑health emergency exemption.","taxTitle","House, Alabama Legislative Sessions, Alabama","taxId",62182,"location","Alabama","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6577360,"House adds AED requirement for school athletic venues, funds training and maintenance",673,4037000,4710000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3155018-17fb687a035158c0b757ea9e257e74ea&start=4037&end=4710","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3155018-17fb687a035158c0b757ea9e257e74ea/thumbnail_4037000.jpg","/articles/6577360/Alabama/House-adds-AED-requirement-for-school-athletic-venues-funds-training-and-maintenance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6577360-05ae3aaf6f8e4a3d9f1ccb67b15b0203/orig.mp4?Expires=1771054197&Signature=Rbv8UiHTxfE-2L5bepJdf6ZniFnMHNWyftp8ViIdrRU-C7eEUTUxQKQSgJ~tGeRJjAc1KtTjNtQVebq~tK87J~G5JYyFRGrTeVjTU7u7cGjB~t0ouEag1eiuvE8qonrNLtclS9ld3BjWlsHLCBbL8tG6TNXptzIgBu4TKrHDxJKkB8SIZNujk-pKdmjhp-FTGJ1GqLvWcK41p-SCxnaNgoNYkm1D0eyI5cW8Zp3RBTorV2QdDfOv3IzO5Tdxdmg5V-XJNrwxMNvmJKOMBom5InI4wl-zt1uMepyB35SB63T-HonFXFbvfUcViBuMlTNr84GI30McNkL9GU3E9GipXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alabama House unanimously passed HB 416, expanding existing requirements for school cardiac arrest plans to require placement of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at athletic event venues on school property and at school‑sponsored athletic practices.

What sponsors said: Representative Oliver, sponsor of the bill, told the House the measure builds on earlier law requiring school cardiac‑arrest plans and AED placement. The bill extends the placement requirement to gymnasiums, practice fields and other athletic venues when students or athletes are present, and allocates funding through the Alabama Department of Public Health for staff training and AED maintenance.

Why it matters: Supporters cited prior incidents of sudden cardiac arrest at practices and athletic events, and said on‑site AED access and training reduce response times and improve survival. Representatives who spoke — including members who had lost acquaintances to cardiac events — said the measure addresses gaps identified after prior legislation.

Amendments: The House adopted a floor amendment narrowing a ‘‘three‑minute retrieval’’ requirement to a recommended three‑to‑five‑minute guideline and clarified when AEDs must be unlocked and easily accessible. The amendment also clarified which venues and activities are required to have AEDs and tied training funds to Department of Public Health appropriations.

Outcome: HB 416 passed as amended; sponsors said the bill expands safety measures for student athletes and clarifies funding and training responsibilities.

Ending: Sponsors asked school systems to implement plans quickly once the bill is enacted and noted the state is providing funding support for maintenance and training.

","Lawmakers passed HB 416 to require automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) at school athletic venues and school‑sponsored practices, and to provide state funding for maintenance and training.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6577366,"Alabama House updates mental-health board membership, adds virtual meeting rules",1049,2961000,4010000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3155018-17fb687a035158c0b757ea9e257e74ea&start=2961&end=4010","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3155018-17fb687a035158c0b757ea9e257e74ea/thumbnail_2961000.jpg","/articles/6577366/Alabama/Alabama-House-updates-mental-health-board-membership-adds-virtual-meeting-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6577366-17dc403008672988ebb64fd35abaf9db/orig.mp4?Expires=1771054197&Signature=LKoX8X-WuZ70VKK6hQmHTE0X8fXUrRaBL7mw2MI27gsAVsChjVIxqBxb32n8qis2oXG5Y8ARyQcle9Y-a64A-byMJg6YUqI7rGHgKlpbjCCoxqpGkacJvHCuSbeX0GlvoAiP-7jz7FZ7O3UcTBzGO3BMPT98z49hnhSiufXfZC4NUA3Tv65wwS7TghrIZOohp7z~LFlDwl9Q0msSNrv6rzMUnfaKwlmvuZE2C4d1Lb~~LVMOvjKjhHiq7mPNBRmFkHDrTe63nA6cqw4h02k3DDaDQJ6-yMJnZOvYaxWCKz9YRhQ0FXvFKcqY0QHigKI5zCPuFOOgtoisi0PtSs35Pg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alabama House on a unanimous voice vote adopted legislation (HB 425) changing how local community mental‑health boards are composed and how they can meet, including a new option for virtual participation.

Representative Rex Besso, sponsor of HB 425, said the bill is a collaborative effort among county commissions, the Alabama Department of Mental Health, community behavioral health providers and advocacy groups. The bill directs that local mental‑health boards must reflect the geographic and stakeholder diversity of the areas they serve and clarifies how executive committees are formed when more than one probate judge or sheriff sits on a board.

Why it matters: local community mental‑health providers commonly serve multiple counties and board members sometimes must travel long distances to attend meetings. Supporters said authorizing virtual participation under the Alabama Open Meetings Act will increase representation and make oversight and governance more practical.

What the bill does: Representative Besso and later Representative Betts described amendments that (a) change certain instances of “shall” to “may” to provide flexibility, (b) add opt‑out language allowing a probate judge or sheriff to remain a board member while declining to serve on an executive committee, and (c) explicitly require boards to conduct meetings in compliance with the Alabama Open Meetings Act (chapter 25A of title 36) when they use virtual attendance. The adopted substitute also limits the bill’s application to mental‑health 3.10 boards and excludes boards that exist solely to serve individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Debate and context: Several members — including Representative England and Representative Wilcox — described long‑running gaps in Alabama’s mental‑health infrastructure and supported the bill as a ‘‘step at a time’’ reform. Representatives from both rural and urban districts said the change could make it easier for hard‑to‑reach counties to have a voice at board tables without forcing long travel. The House adopted a committee substitute and floor amendments before final passage.

Outcome: The House passed HB 425 as amended and substituted; the bill will move to the Senate for concurrence on the technical changes it adopted.

Ending: Supporters framed the measure as a modest but practical governance fix intended to increase participation and oversight of community mental‑health providers across multi‑county service areas.

","Lawmakers passed HB 425 to change membership and participation rules for local mental‑health (3.10) boards, adding stakeholder seats, clarifying executive‑committee representation and allowing meetings under the Alabama Open Meetings Act to include virtual participation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House approves bill allowing police to require protesters to remove medical masks for ID; debate over rights and health exemptions

House adds AED requirement for school athletic venues, funds training and maintenance

Alabama House updates mental-health board membership, adds virtual meeting rules