Governor Kay Ivey signed a bill into law this week that is aimed at helping save Alabama pharmacies. Advocates call it “one of the largest victories in the nation” against companies that control prescription drug plans. AL.com reports the new law prohibits Pharmacy Benefit Managers, or PBMs, from paying pharmacists less than Medicaid does and from charging miscellaneous fees. PBMs are essentially middlemen that manage prescription benefits between insurance companies and employers.
The Alabama House of Representatives passed a bill this week that would ban teachers from displaying pride flags or buttons on school campuses and prevent any discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity through 12th grade. The chamber passed a version of the bill that removed a provision punishing teachers for using a student’s preferred pronouns. The Alabama Political Reporter notes that the House also passed, without debate, a bill that would prohibit public schools and libraries from hosting drag performances without parental consent. Both bills now head to the Senate.
The Alabama House Education Policy Committee unanimously approved a bill this week that would ban cellphones in public schools during class instruction time. The senate bill is identical to the house bill which passed the House earlier this month. The bill requires local school boards to adopt a policy to store student cell phones during class hours. The Alabama Reflector reports there are exceptions for when a student can access their phones: if they study under an Individualized Education Plan that allows it; for teacher-approved instruction and for medical purposes. The bill now moves to the full House for consideration.
Federal officials advised Huntsville International Airport to get ready for potentially hundreds of passengers per day who will show up without a STAR ID. Tara Corse, TSA federal security director for Alabama, told the airport’s board of directors that up to 20% of Alabamians have not gotten the new enhanced ID that will be required for air travel starting May 7. AL.com reports those without a passport or valid secondary ID will undergo enhanced screening. That also applies to travelers enrolled in TSA PreCheck. To get a STAR ID, you will need to bring a valid birth certificate, a passport or other documents to a state driver license office. More information is available here.
The Derrick Street Homeless Camp is set to reopen in a couple of weeks. WHNT TV reports the camp has gone through a complete restructuring. The ground is now asphalt instead of grass. Eighty-four individual 12′ x 12′ spaces are marked off with paint. A 10′ x 10′ tent sits on top of a platform inside each space. There is also a roadway for Huntsville Police officers to easily drive through and monitor the camp. Every person who wishes to move into the newly structured camp must sign the community guidelines, which outline the rules and regulations. The city said roughly 70 people have signed up to move into the camp.
Arts Huntsville needs volunteers for the Panoply Arts Festival, to be held in Big Spring Park April 25, 26 and 27. The festival requires over 1,000 volunteers. Volunteer shifts vary in length and are available in every area of the park. The minimum age to volunteer is 14 years old with an adult present. Volunteers 16 and 17 years of age may volunteer with permission from a parent or guardian. Volunteers get free admission to enjoy the festival before or after their shift. Individuals can sign up to volunteer at artshuntsville.org. Groups interested in volunteering together can email Community Engagement Manager, Ashely Hudson at AHudson@artshuntsville.org to coordinate the group volunteering.