The 76-14 vote repeals a 1965 law creating the standalone school, despite the objection of Democrats.
Updated: Jan. 29, 2026, 4:18 p.m.State Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, speaks on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, at the State House in Montgomery, Ala.Democratic lawmakers raised early and pointed concerns Tuesday over what they described as the mysterious and unexplained push to repeal the law establishing the University of Alabama’s School of Social Work.
They voiced their concerns on the Alabama House floor and questioned why Republicans were advancing the measure, warning it could be part of a broader effort to sanitize history, diversity, and data.“It’s the culture we are in now. There is a level of distrust because of so many things being stripped away and especially things that have become a thing that benefit people of color.”repeal the 1965 law that created the School of Social Work, moving the university one step closer to the possibility of dissolving the standalone school. The measure now goes to the Senate. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, who chairs the House Ways and Means Education Committee, said the legislation simply gives the University of Alabama more flexibility to determine the school’s future. He emphasized that the bill does not require the school to close and said he did not know what university administrators ultimately intend to do.Garrett defended the repeal as a way to modernize the university’s structure.“There are social programs across the country which are larger and more effective. This will give the university more autonomy to innovant and respond to the needs of the state for social workers.” He said the idea emerged during discussions last summer about outcome-based funding for higher education, a model that could tie state dollars to performance metrics such as graduation and retention rates.“We are more first-generation students and have more of them to stay in the state and we want them to be in degrees that meet the job demands of the state.” Garrett also argued that the school’s current structure may limit its ability to attract federal research funding. He noted that other Alabama universities—including Auburn, the University of North Alabama, and UAB—do not have standalone social work schools. Still, he acknowledged uncertainty about what UA will ultimately do and pointed to relatively low enrollment, with just over 600 students across undergraduate and graduate programs. Democratic lawmakers warned that the bill could open the door to dismantling the entire social work curriculum or eliminating data central to the profession—particularly statistics documenting racial disparities and poverty. Their concerns come amid national and statewide efforts by Republican leaders, including the Trump Administration and GOP legislatures, to roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. “The feedback I’m getting from professional social workers is that it’s putting them on edge, big-time,” said Rep. Neil Rafferty, D-Birmingham. He cited fears that political pressure could restrict or erase essential information. “The problems with maternal health care here in this state are multi-faceted but it also deals with race and geography as well. These are facts. This is what we’re afraid of trying to get restricted or rolled back.”, the University of Alabama’s student newspaper, students defended its independent status. Democrats also argued that the state’s shortage of social workers stems from low pay, questioning the argument against the existence of a standalone school.“Social workers, like teachers, put in long hours. We don’t pay them enough for the dedication they put into their long hours. But I cannot understand the university is doing all in their power that this law is preventing from doing more.” Rep. Marilyn Lands, D-Huntsville, echoed that point, saying low wage, not structural issues, drive low enrollment. “The people who work in these fields with family members are there for all the right reasons,” she said. “The reason we don’t have enough is because we pay these folks less than our teaches with master’s degrees. That’s just shameful.”the median annual salary for a social worker in 2024 is $61,330, and the field is projected to grow about 6% through 2034. Other Democrats questioned the historical context of the school’s creation in 1965, during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. “I don’t know if anyone here knows why but for some reasons the Legislature in Alabama decided it should be mandated for the University of Alabama to have a School of Social Work,” said Rep. Sam Jones, D-Mobile. Garrett said he was unclear about the origins of the mandate. John Sharp is a veteran reporter for AL.com covering the Alabama Gulf Coast, state politics, and key statewide issues. With 25 years in journalism, his work spans business, criminal justice, and cultural...
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