HB814 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mike Hill

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Bed bugs, control in multi-dwelling residential buildings, legislative findings, definitions, landlord obligations, tenant obligations, publication of pamphlets by Health Department regarding bed bug identification, preention, and reporting of infestations, liability for damages, Multi-Dwelling Bed Bug Control Act

Summary

HB814 creates the Alabama Multi-Dwelling Bed Bug Control Act to set rules for landlord and tenant responsibilities and education about bed bugs in multi-dwelling residential buildings.

What This Bill Does

It defines key terms and sets obligations for landlords to keep buildings bed-bug free, inspect within five days of a tenant's report, and start control within ten days if an infestation is found, with access provided after at least 24 hours' notice. Tenants must keep their units infestation-free, report suspected infestations within 48 hours, and cooperate with inspections and treatments; they may be financially responsible for pest-control costs if they fail to report or comply. The act allows landlords to recover certain costs from tenants' security deposits and provides liability protections for landlords in specific cases, while requiring the Health Department to publish an educational pamphlet in English and Spanish. It also preempts conflicting county or municipal laws and sets an effective date.

Who It Affects

• Landlords/owners of multi-dwelling buildings: must maintain infestation-free units, inspect within 5 days of notice, begin control within 10 days of confirming an infestation, and provide 24 hours' written notice before access; may deduct related costs from tenant security deposits and pursue additional costs if necessary.
• Tenants/residents of multi-dwelling buildings: must maintain infestation-free units, report suspected infestations within 48 hours, allow landlord access for inspections and treatments, and could be financially responsible for pest-control costs if they fail to report or cooperate.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Alabama Multi-Dwelling Bed Bug Control Act with defined terms (bed bug, control, infestation, landlord, tenant, unit, surrounding unit).
• Landlord obligations include maintaining an infestation-free building, inspecting a unit within five days after a tenant reports suspected infestation, and starting control within ten days if infestation is confirmed; landlords must provide at least 24 hours' written notice before unit access.
• Tenant obligations include maintaining an infestation-free unit, reporting suspected infestations within 48 hours, and complying with pest-control protocols (access for inspections, evacuation as needed, post-treatment steps); failure to report or cooperate can shift costs to the tenant.
• Costs and remedies section allows landlords to deduct pest-control costs from a tenant's security deposit and to seek recovery for additional costs; tenants may also sign an agreement taking full responsibility for certain costs.
• Health Department pamphlet provision requires a bilingual (English and Spanish) pamphlet on bed bugs and prevention, distributed to landlords and tenants and posted online; pamphlet is informational and not binding in court.
• The act repeals conflicting local laws and becomes effective October 1, 2010.

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

Subjects

Health