HB544 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jack Page

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Juvenile probation officers, employed by state and employed by certain counties, salary reduction consistent based on Administrative Office of Courts, Sec. 12-5A-5 am'd.

Summary

HB544 would tying subsidy-funded pay for juvenile probation officers in larger Alabama counties to state funding cuts and move many county staff into the state court system.

What This Bill Does

It amends how juvenile probation staff in counties with populations over 99,000 are classified and paid, creating a path for these workers to become state employees. It requires the Administrative Office of Courts to provide salary subsidies to counties for these officers, using a population-based formula and a minimum salary framework. Subsidies continue until those officers are moved to the state system, at which point subsidies for the county end; if the state reduces funding for juvenile probation services, the same percentage reduction applies to the county subsidies. Jefferson County is exempt from these provisions.

Who It Affects

• Juvenile probation officers and their clerical/support staff in counties with population over 99,000, who would be transitioned to state employment and receive subsidies that could be reduced if state funding falls.
• Counties with populations over 99,000 that receive salary subsidies for these officers and must implement the population-based subsidy formula and minimum salary requirements.
• Administrative Office of Courts, which would administer the subsidy program, determine eligibility, and manage the transition of staff to the state system.
• Jefferson County, which is exempt from the bill’s provisions.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 12-5A-5 to establish that juvenile probation officers and supporting staff in counties over 99,000 population become part of the state court system personnel, with exceptions for new positions and certain support roles.
• Authorizes the Administrative Office of Courts to provide salary subsidies to counties for juvenile probation officers, using a formula based on one subsidy per 15,000 population (or fraction), with a minimum salary framework and adjustments to reflect a minimum $22,000 salary for officers.
• Subsidies continue until the county's officers are transitioned to the state court system; after transition, subsidies to that county end; counties with population over 99,000 not yet transitioned continue receiving subsidies but would have them reduced if state funding for juvenile probation services is cut, by the same percentage.
• Jefferson County is exempt from these provisions, and the act specifies its effective date.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Juvenile Probation Officers