
Tens of thousands of Alabama families will benefit from two new laws removing barriers to health coverage and increasing the availability of paid parental leave. Gov. Kay Ivey held a ceremonial bill signing Thursday at the State Capitol in Montgomery for both bills: SB 102, sponsored by Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison, D-Birmingham, and SB 199, sponsored by Sen. Vivian Figures, D-Mobile. The governor officially signed both bills into law last month.
Alabama Arise staff were proud to participate in the ceremonies for both bills. Improving health care access and ensuring paid parental leave are two key legislative priorities that Arise members advocated for during the Legislature’s 2025 regular session.
Official event photos from the Governor’s Office are available here.
Presumptive eligibility will reduce red-tape barriers to Medicaid coverage
SB 102, sponsored by Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison, D-Birmingham, will expand health care access for thousands of expectant mothers by allowing them to receive Medicaid coverage earlier in their pregnancy. The law will take effect Oct. 1.
The new law will expand presumptive eligibility, which allows doctors and other providers to determine Medicaid eligibility for expectant mothers who are likely to be eligible. This process allows women to begin receiving Medicaid coverage and prenatal medical care in the first trimester without having to wait for the agency’s official eligibility decision.

“This law will save lives and money for families across Alabama,” said Robyn Hyden, executive director of Alabama Arise. “For too long, Alabama mothers have faced needless barriers to early prenatal care – care that can mean the difference between hope and heartbreak. SB 102 will lift some of those red-tape barriers at last.
“The passage of this act is a life-changing victory for moms and babies in every part of Alabama. Alabama Arise thanks Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison and Rep. Marilyn Lands for their determination and visionary leadership on this legislation. We thank every Arise member who advocated for this bill and every lawmaker who voted for it. And we thank Gov. Kay Ivey for signing it into law.”
Paid parental leave law will help families, boost worker retention
SB 199, sponsored by Sen. Vivian Figures, D-Mobile, will ensure paid parental leave for new parents who work as teachers, two-year college employees or state employees. The law will take effect July 1.
The new law will provide eight weeks of paid leave to mothers after childbirth, adoption of a child aged 3 or younger, stillbirth or miscarriage. Fathers will receive two weeks of paid leave in those circumstances.

“Paid parental leave helps workers create and grow their families while maintaining their financial well-being,” Hyden said. “Alabama’s new law guaranteeing paid parental leave for teachers and state employees makes our state a leader in the Southeast. And it is important progress toward ensuring every parent can care for their families without scrambling to pay the bills.
“This new law will enhance the quality of life for families across Alabama. Paid leave will help improve health for babies and families, and it will ease economic stress for new parents. This policy also will improve employee retention for schools and state agencies, and it will help mothers in particular to remain in the workforce.
“Paid parental leave is a common-sense, pro-family policy that will result in a better, healthier future for everyone in our state. Alabama Arise appreciates the leadership from the legislative champions on this issue, Sen. Vivian Figures and Rep. Ginny Shaver. We appreciate Gov. Kay Ivey for highlighting paid leave as a priority in her State of the State address and for signing this bill into law. And we appreciate every legislator who voted for this law and every Arise member who advocated in support of this important investment in healthier families in Alabama.”