The Alabama House of Representatives unanimously passed HB89 this week. The bill is focused on providing presumptive Medicaid coverage for prenatal care. The bill, introduced by Rep. Marilyn Lands, D-Huntsville, was approved by the House Ways and Means General Fund Committee earlier this week and will now move to the Alabama Senate. Alabama Political Reporter says it would provide presumptive Medicaid eligibility to pregnant Alabamians before their Medicaid applications are reviewed and formally approved. Specifically, the bill would provide prenatal care to low-income pregnant people for up to 60 days during pregnancy.
Gov. Kay Ivey has signed into law a bill defining sex as determined at birth. Opponents say is discriminatory toward transgender people. AL.com reports the bill defines a female as someone whose reproductive system produces ova and a male as someone whose reproductive system produces sperm.
The Alabama House of Representatives passed a bill Tuesday requiring parental consent for a minor to receive a vaccine. The bill was introduced by Rep. Chip Brown, R-Mobile, and passed on a vote of 100-0. AL.com reports this is the third year the legislation has been brought forth by Brown. It failed to pass the Senate during the 2024 legislative session. Under current law, the age of medical consent is 14, but Brown has previously said children at that age are not capable of making well-informed decisions.
A new bill filed in the Alabama Legislature would criminalize the act of abandoning a domesticated cat or dog. The bill would categorize abandonment of a dog or cat as a cruel act with the penalty equating to a Class A misdemeanor. A Class A misdemeanor for cruelty to an animal could result in a one-year jail sentence or up to $3,000 fine. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Brock Colvin, R-Albertville, defines abandon as, “to forsake entirely or leave a dog or cat at a location without providing minimum reasonable care.” AL.com notes that in most states in the U.S. it is already a crime to abandon a dog or cat. The bill has been referred to the House Agriculture and Forestry Committee.
Programs at HudsonAlpha Institute of Biotechnology and the University of Alabama-Huntsville could be impacted by the National Institutes of Health’s announcement of funding cuts last Friday. AL.com reports HudsonAlpha has received almost $23 million in funding from NIH since 2021, while UAH has received about $2 million in funding during that time. HudsonAlpha Director of Communications Adam Kelley says they continue to monitor the situation and are working with elected officials as they await direct communication from federal agencies about potential changes to their federal grants or awards.” Kelley says the institute, which is a nonprofit organization, receives about 60% of its funding from competitive grants.
The City of Huntsville revealed its master plan for upgrading Big Spring Park East this week. More than two acres will be added to the park following the removal of the former City Hall building. The plan includes a plaza area to include public art, shade, rain gardens and a water feature. A lower terrace connected by stairs and an ADA-accessible walkway will link the plaza and Big Spring Park West, creating space for various activities. Huntsville Blast reports construction is expected to begin soon after the demolition of the former City Hall.
The City of Huntsville and the Land Trust of North Alabama are collaborating on improved infrastructure on Monte Sano to provide an improved path for pedestrians and cyclists. A news item from the city says they will provide $500,000 in matching funds after the Land Trust raised $500,000 to pave Toll Gate Trail from Bankhead Trailhead to Fearn Street. Plans call for a 10-foot-wide asphalt pathway along the 1.3-mile trail. It will provide a connection from the Land Trust parking lot on Bankhead Parkway to the paved trail into Monte Sano State Park.