Section 41-1-93 Construction of Article. (Amended by Act 2026-209)

AMENDED BY ACT 2026-209, EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2026. SEE ACT FOR REVISED LANGUAGE. Nothing in this article: (1) Prevents student, staff, or faculty organizations or associations from hosting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs or discussions that may involve divisive concepts, provided that no state funds are used to sponsor these programs. If a student, staff, or faculty organization or association hosts an event pursuant to this subdivision, it shall identify the sponsor of the event at the event and in any advertisements relating to the event. (2) Prevents an employee or a contractor of a state agency, local board of education, or public institution of higher education who provides, as part of his or her job duties, orientation, course work, or training from responding to questions that are raised by participants in the orientation, course work, or training and that pertain to divisive concepts or diversity, equity, and inclusion. (3)a. Prohibits a public institution of higher education from providing any instruction or taking any action in furtherance of satisfying any accreditation standard or requirement. b. Prohibits a public institution of higher education from authorizing the teaching or discussion of any divisive concept in an objective manner and without endorsement as part of a larger course of academic instruction, provided the institution and its employees do not compel assent to any divisive concept and otherwise comply with this article. c. Prohibits the required collection or reporting of demographic data by public institutions of higher education. (4) Prohibits the teaching of topics or historical events in a historically accurate context. (5) Prohibits an institution of higher education from performing research, collecting data, engaging in recruiting and outreach programs, offering academic support services, engaging in clinical trials, or providing medical, mental, or any health care or clinical services targeted to support individuals of any specific demographic. (6) Prevents state agencies from promoting racial, cultural, or ethnic diversity or inclusiveness, provided these efforts are consistent with the requirements of this article. (7) Prohibits a public institution of higher education from providing space or ancillary services to any student or employee on a non-discriminatory basis, including, but not limited to, support and guidance to ensure compliance with applicable university policies and laws, assistance with security needs, and registration of events. (8) Prohibits housing, athletic programming, or social organizations that are segregated by sex. Each public institution of higher education shall ensure that every multiple occupancy restroom be designated for use by individuals based on their biological sex, as defined by Section 16-1-54. (9) May be construed to inhibit or violate the First Amendment rights of any student or employee, or to undermine the duty of a public institution of higher education to protect, to the greatest degree, academic freedom, intellectual diversity, and free expression. (10) Shall be deemed to affect or revise any provision in state law requiring that membership of a state board, commission, or authority be inclusive and reflect the racial, gender, geographic, urban, rural, and economic diversity of the state, nor impact any public official appointed to a state board, commission, or authority as of October 1, 2024. (11) May be construed to affect or limit the activities of the Alabama Office of Minority Affairs.