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Merika Coleman

News / State

House Democrats respond to prisons, corrections plan

Alabama House Democrats released a statement in response to the Alabama Department of Corrections release of the strategic plan to comply with Department of Justice Regulations related to the state’s failed prison system. “Alabama’s plan to address the humanitarian crisis in our prisons must include more than simply building new facilities and hiring staff,” the … Continued
May 24, 2019

Human trafficking bills pass state House

The State House unanimously passed three bills on Wednesday and Thursday aimed at combating human trafficking.  Rep. Merika Coleman, D-Birmingham, Assistant Minority Leader, and Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, Education Policy Chair, co-sponsored the bills. “This is a great step in continuing the fight against human trafficking,” Coleman said. “The unanimous, bi-partisan passage of all three … Continued
May 24, 2019

Two anti-bullying resolutions pass after death of Huntsville teenager

Two resolutions condemning all forms of bullying, including that based on sexual orientation or gender identity, passed the House on Thursday. The bills were introduced by Alabama House Democratic Caucus members Rep. Neil Rafferty, D-Birmingham, and Rep. Merika Coleman, D-Birmingham, in response to the death by suicide of Nigel Shelby, a Huntsville teenager who was … Continued
May 24, 2019

House passes bill to make the pictures of those convicted of solicitation public

Wednesday, the Alabama House of Representatives passed a bill aimed at shaming men and women arrested of trying to hire a prostitute. House Bill 262 was sponsored by State Representative Merika Coleman, D-Midfield. Coleman is the assistant House Minority Leader and a longtime member of the state’s Human Trafficking task force. According to a statement … Continued
May 23, 2019

House passes chemical castration bill

The Alabama House of Representatives passed a bill Tuesday requiring that child rapists be chemically castrated for the rest of their lives once released from prison. House Bill 379 is sponsored by State Rep. Steve Hurst, R-Munford. Hurst said his original idea was for surgical castration, but after much research of the issue, he instead … Continued
May 23, 2019

Near-total abortion ban passes the House of Representatives

The Alabama House of Representatives has passed a bill that would criminalize nearly all abortions in the state of Alabama. House Bill 314 is sponsored by State Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur. “The heart of this bill is to confront a decision by the Court in 1973 that says that the child in the womb is … Continued
May 1, 2019

Reps. Merika Coleman, Terri Collins introduce legislation aimed at fighting human trafficking

Rep. Merika Coleman, D-Birmingham, and Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, introduced four bills aimed at fighting human trafficking on Wednesday in honor of Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Three of the bills passed unanimously through the committee. One, HB260, will receive a public hearing and will be voted on next week. “Human trafficking is the fastest-growing criminal … Continued
April 26, 2019

House Judiciary Committee considers red flag law

The House Judiciary Committee held a public hearing Wednesday for House Bill 265, which would allow a court to order law enforcement to seize a person’s guns if there is evidence that they are a danger to themselves or the community. HB265 is sponsored by State Rep. Merika Coleman, D-Birmingham. Coleman said the legislation creates … Continued
April 18, 2019

House Democrats say new rules will subvert democracy, transparency

House Democrats say new rules passed during an organization session earlier this week will subvert Democracy and limit the small Democratic minority’s ability to have any say or influence on legislation. “The New Procedural Rule Changes by House Republicans will silence the voices of citizens and minimize legislators ability to fully vet key legislation,” Minority … Continued
January 11, 2019