Parental Consent for Vaccination Bill Passes Committee

February 5, 2025 – MONTGOMERY, AL - HB 2, which requires written parental approval for any minor to receive a vaccine, passed out of the House Judiciary Committee on a unanimous vote Wednesday. The bill will now go to the House floor for a vote.

Currently, Alabama's age of consent for medical treatment is 14. HB 2 removes the ability of an unemancipated minor to give consent for vaccine administration without the written consent of a parent or legal guardian.

HB2 was introduced by Rep. Chip Brown (R-105) of Mobile. It has received support from parental rights organizations and advocates of health freedom despite some criticism that there is no penalty attached to violations of the law in the bill.

Health Freedom Alabama has been a major supporter of HB 2 while asking that a penalty for violating it be included in the final bill.

Health Freedom Alabama Director Stephanie Durnin said in a statement Wednesday afternoon:

"Health Freedom Alabama supports HB 2 as a critical measure to protect parental rights in Alabama. However, we urge the inclusion of penalties to ensure real accountability and effectiveness. Parents deserve a strong, ENFORCEABLE bill that unequivocally protects their rights in healthcare decisions for their children."

Two bills in the Senate, SB 58 (sponsored by Senators Givhan, Kelly, Allen and Roberts) and SB 101 (sponsored by Senators Stutts, Williams and Allen) would increase the vaccine age of consent similar to HB 2. However, both Senate bills go further than HB 2, increasing the age of medical consent for most procedures from 14 to 18.

HFA is a 501(c)3 organization that works to be the first line of defense against laws and legislators that would mandate medical procedures for Alabamians. For more information, visit their website at healthfreedomalabama.com.

The text of HB 2 may be found at https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/files/pdf/SearchableInstruments/2025RS/HB2-int.pdf