The proposed bill adds Sections 26-14-3.1 and 32-5A-332 to the Code of Alabama 1975, which prohibits smoking or vaping marijuana in a motor vehicle when a child is present. It defines a "child" as any individual under 19 years of age and establishes that any individual who is a mandatory reporter must report to authorities if a child smells of marijuana, treating such reports as suspected child abuse or neglect. Violating this law is classified as a Class A misdemeanor, and offenders will be required to attend a virtual education course developed by the Alabama Department of Public Health, which will also notify the local Department of Human Resources.

Additionally, the Alabama Department of Public Health is tasked with creating educational materials about the dangers of drug use around children, including the negative impacts of marijuana and secondhand smoke exposure. These materials will be made available to the public at no cost. The bill is set to take effect on October 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 26-14-3, 32-5A-332
Engrossed: 26-14-3, 32-5A-332