HB37 Alabama 2010 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Chad Fincher
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2010
Title: Teachers, principals, and education employees, State Superintendent of Education to immediately revoke the education certificate and terminate employment upon conviction of certain felonies or sex offenses involving a child, Teacher Tenure Law, Teacher Accountability Act, and Fair Dismissal Act amended to conform to this act, Secs. 16-24-8.1, 16-24B-3.1, 36-26-102.1 added; Sec. 16-23-5 am'd. (2010-20138)
Summary: HB37 would require immediate revocation of teaching certificates and termination of employment for educators convicted of a Class A felony or sex offense involving a child.
What This Bill Does
The bill sets automatic, immediate certificate revocation for holders convicted of capital murder or a Class A felony (including listed sex offenses against a child). It adds new provisions to require the immediate cancellation of employment contracts for teachers on continuing service status and for principals, and immediate termination for nonprobationary employees upon such convictions. If the conviction is overturned on appeal, the certificate or employment can be reinstated and the employee placed in a suitable position, with back pay and benefits reimbursed within 45 days.

Who It Affects
Teachers on continuing service status, principals, contract principals, and nonprobationary education employees who are convicted of a Class A felony or sex offense involving a child; they would lose their certificate or job immediately, with potential reinstatement if the conviction is overturned.
State Superintendent of Education and local boards of education; they must revoke certificates, cancel or terminate contracts as specified, and administer reinstatement, placement, and back pay provisions when relevant.

Key Provisions
Amends Section 16-23-5 to require immediate disenfranchisement from certification and revocation for convictions of capital murder or any Class A felony, including enumerated sex offenses against a child.
Adds Section 16-24-8.1, providing for immediate cancellation of the employment contract of a teacher on continuing service status who has had a certificate revoked, with reinstatement options and 45-day back pay reimbursement if the conviction is overturned.
Adds Section 16-24B-3.1, providing for immediate cancellation of the employment contract for principals or contract principals who have had a certificate revoked, with reinstatement options and 45-day back pay reimbursement if the conviction is overturned.
Adds Section 36-26-102.1, requiring immediate termination of nonprobationary employees convicted of the listed offenses, with reinstatement options and 45-day back pay reimbursement if the conviction is overturned.
Effective immediately upon passage and approval (or otherwise becoming law).

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Education