State House Majority Leader Scott Stadthagen (R-Hartselle) has filed a bill for the 2025 legislative session banning public K-12 schools and public libraries from presenting or sponsoring drag performances and state entities from allowing minors to share facilities with members of the opposite sex in certain circumstances during overnight programs.
Stadthagen has attempted to pass virtually identical legislation for the past two sessions.
House Bill 67 (HB67) would prohibit public K-12 schools and public libraries from knowingly presenting or sponsoring drag performances in the presence of a minor without the consent of the minor's parent or legal guardian.
It would also prohibit certain state entities from allowing minors to share certain facilities with members of the opposite sex during overnight programs operated or sponsored by the state entity unless the other individuals are family members of the minor and the minor's parent consents.
The second part of the bill’s provision came from an amendment to a bill Stadthagen attempted in 2024 in response to a controversy in the state’s space camp.
In March, a Huntsville father revealed that Molly Bowman, a biological male who identifies as a female, would be working in the overnight camp at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center's Space Camp in Huntsville he planned to send his daughter.
“When parents send their children to schools, libraries and camps, they expect them to be safe and protected, not brainwashed and indoctrinated,” Stadthagen told 1819 News. “Liberal extremists are trying to mainstream their crazy social ideas by exposing them to our children in schools, libraries, and other public places in hopes that they will be embraced by the next generation.”
“Our conservative Alabama values and traditional beliefs are what makes our state such a special place to live, so we must prevent our public school classrooms and learning facilities from being co-opted by radicals who are promoting dangerous and immoral social agendas.”
Several lawmakers tried to address the issue in the middle of the last session but were unsuccessful.
1819 News has reported on multiple drag shows where children were not only present but also participated by going on stage or handing money to adult performers.
This is not the only bill filed for 2025 to tackle the issue.
Current law states, "It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly distribute, possess with intent to distribute, or offer or agree to distribute any obscene material or any device designed or marketed as useful primarily for the stimulation of human genital organs for anything of pecuniary (monetary) value. Material not otherwise obscene may be obscene under this section if the distribution of the material, the offer to do so, or the possession with the intent to do so is a commercial exploitation of erotica solely for the sake of prurient appeal."
The state's obscenity laws do not apply to public libraries, public school libraries, college libraries, university libraries or their employees.
House Bill 4 (HB4) would provide that criminal obscenity laws do not apply to college or university libraries or their employees or agents but do apply to public libraries and public school libraries.
The bill would also add the following definition in the state’s existing code on “sexual conduct”:
“In K-12 public schools or public libraries where minors are expected and known to be present without parental presence or consent, any sexual or gender-oriented conduct, presentation, or activity that knowingly exposes a minor to a person who is dressed in sexually revealing, exaggerated, or provocative clothing or costumes, who is stripping, or who is engaged in lewd or lascivious dancing.”
The bill’s criminal penalties would only apply in cases where a librarian or school employee fails to address a valid complaint from a parent or resident within 15 business days.
For public and school libraries, a resident or parent may submit a form via certified mail when they believe a library book violates the bill’s provisions. In the case of a K-12 school, the letter must be sent to a local school superintendent and principal. For a public library, the letter must be sent to the library director and a library board member.
The school or public library must do one of the following within the 15-day limit:
Move material identified in the notice that violates this division to an age-restricted area of the library.
Remove material in the notice that violates this division from the library.
Cease conduct in the notice that violates this division.
Make an official determination that the material or conduct does not violate this division and take no further action.
The appropriate authority must also send a letter detailing the action taken to the parent or resident who filed the complaint.
If a parent or resident has not received notice within 25 business days of submitting a complaint, they may take any documentation to the applicable law enforcement agency in that municipality or county.
A court or grand jury may only issue a warrant or indictment for a violation after a law enforcement agency has received the documentation required by the bill.
The bill already has several prominent co-sponsors, including Stadthagen and House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville).
State Rep. Arnold Mooney (R-Indian Springs) carried virtually identical legislation during the 2024 session. However, the legislation stalled out during the gridlock caused by the debate over a statewide gambling proposal.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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