HB699 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ronald Grantland

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Todd GreesonElwyn ThomasJeremy OdenJames C. FieldsMerika ColemanLesley VanceBill J. DukesThomas JacksonAlan HarperChris EnglandRalph HowardJames O. GordonYusuf SalaamBarbara Bigsby BoydArtis McCampbellPhil Williams

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Child abuse or neglect, suspected, mandatory reporting, requirements for school teachers and school officials, established, responsibilities of principals and local superintendents of education Sec. 26-14-3 am'd.

Summary

HB699 would require Alabama school teachers and officials to report suspected child abuse or neglect, with new duties for principals and local superintendents to forward reports to authorities.

What This Bill Does

The bill adds school teachers and officials to the list of mandatory reporters and defines how they must report (immediately to a proper authority by oral report, then a written report). Alternatively, a written report to the principal or superintendent by the end of the next school day also counts, with the principal forwarding a copy to the appropriate authority. The principal or superintendent must provide a copy of the report to the proper authorities. It also sets up processes for coordinating investigations between law enforcement and the Department of Human Resources, and requires certain records to be handled in relation to a central registry and expunged if no conviction; it preserves confidential communications for clergy.

Who It Affects

• School teachers and school officials who become aware of suspected child abuse or neglect and must report it (through immediate oral reporting or written reporting to the principal/superintendent).
• Principals, superintendents, and local boards of education who receive reports from teachers/officials and are responsible for forwarding copies to the proper authorities and coordinating with law enforcement and the Department of Human Resources.

Key Provisions

• Adds school teachers and school officials to the mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse or neglect under Section 26-14-3.
• Establishes reporting methods: immediate oral report to a duly constituted authority followed by a written report; or a written report to the principal/superintendent by the end of the next school day, with the principal/superintendent forwarding a copy to the proper authority.
• Requires the principal or superintendent to provide a copy of the report to the appropriate authorities.
• If initial reports are made to law enforcement, the official must inform the Department of Human Resources to enable protective services.
• Outlines how investigations will be shared among law enforcement and the Department of Human Resources, with final investigative reports sent to the central registry.
• Allows interagency agreements to coordinate investigations and provides for expungement of records if no conviction.
• Preserves clergy confidentiality for privileged communications and clarifies reporting requirements related to Rule 505.
• Effective date: becomes law immediately after passage and Governor approval.

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

Subjects

Children