Immediate Action Needed in Alabama
Alabama House Bill 340 (HB340), the DHR Transparency and Due Process Rights Notification Act, is scheduled for a vote in the House Children and Senior Advocacy Committee on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 10:30 AM in Room 601. This bill will ensure that parents and legal custodians are notified of their Due Process rights during DHR investigations, protecting families from unfair practices and ensuring transparency in the system.
A couple of friendly amendments will clarify language related to allegations involving criminal acts. These amendments specify that the department may withhold documents from a parent or legal custodian if law enforcement has opened a criminal investigation, and that the parent or legal custodian’s right to legal counsel does not require the department to adjust its investigation timeline or schedule.
This bill is one of the Alabama Republican Party's 2025 Legislative Priorities, and both the Alabama State Executive Committee and the Alabama Federation of Republican Women (AFRW) recently passed resolutions in support of its passage. Nevertheless, the House Children and Senior Advocacy Committee is facing pressure from the Department of Human Resources (DHR), district attorneys, and sheriff’s offices to vote against it.
We need your support to ensure this important bill passes. Here's how you can help:
- Call or email each member of the House Children and Senior Advocacy Committee and urge them to vote YES on HB340.
- Show up at the committee meeting! Your presence will send a powerful message of support. Be sure to arrive early, as parking around the statehouse in Montgomery can be tricky on Wednesdays.
- Share the above call to action with your family, friends, and other pro-family groups/organizations.
- Use these hashtags in social media posts supporting the bill: #HB340 #SupportOurKids #AdvocacyInAction
Let’s make our voices heard and advocate for children and families!
In the News
The following news articles cover the HB340 Public Hearing held on March 19, 2025. Significantly, the only speakers who testified against informing parents of their Due Process rights during a DHR investigation were State Government Agencies:
- DHR Commissioner Opposes HB340
- Alabama Reflector: HB340 Requires DHR to Notify Parents of Abuse Investigations
- Alabama DHR Would Have to Notify Parents They Are Under Investigation for Child Abuse/Neglect Under Bill
- Alabama Reporter: HB340 Supporters & Opponents Speak at Hearing
Together, we can protect children by empowering parents through passage of this good bill in Alabama.
Thank you for taking the time to weigh in today!