SB176 Alabama 2010 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Rodger SmithermanSenator
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2010
Title: Teacher or school employee engaging in sex act with a student and teacher or school employee having sexual contact with a student, crimes of established, penalties
Summary: SB176 makes it a crime for a school employee to have sex acts or sexual contact with a student under 19, provides paid administrative leave during investigation, and sets possible disciplinary actions afterward.
What This Bill Does
It creates two crimes: (1) a school employee engaging in a sex act or deviant sexual intercourse with a student under 19 (Class B felony) and (2) a school employee having sexual contact with a student under 19 (Class A misdemeanor), with consent not a defense. It defines sex act, deviant sexual intercourse, and sexual contact, and notes these acts could involve male or female students. It allows the accused to be placed on paid administrative leave while the charge is pending, and after adjudication, allows for further discipline under the Teacher Tenure Act, the Teacher Accountability Act, or the Fair Dismissal Act. It also defines who counts as a school employee and states the act takes effect after a set period following passage and governor action.

Who It Affects
School employees (teachers, administrators, safety or resource officers, coaches, and other school staff) who would face criminal charges (Class B felony for sex acts/deviant intercourse; Class A misdemeanor for sexual contact) and potential long-term discipline.
Students under 19 at Alabama schools who would be protected from sex acts or sexual contact by school employees; acts are crimes regardless of student gender and consent is not a defense.

Key Provisions
Creates two crimes: (a) school employee engaging in a sex act or deviant sexual intercourse with a student under 19 (Class B felony); (b) school employee having sexual contact with a student under 19 (Class A misdemeanor). Consent is not a defense.
Defines terms: 'sex act' (any penetration, emission not required), 'deviant sexual intercourse' (sexual gratification involving mouth or anus), and 'sexual contact' (touching intimate parts for gratification, including soliciting/harassing a student).
Specifies who is a 'school employee' (teacher, administrator, student teacher, safety/resource officer, coach, and other school staff) and that acts apply regardless of the student’s gender.
Allows paid administrative leave with pay for a school employee charged, pending adjudication; after adjudication, disciplinary action may be taken under the Teacher Tenure Act, the Teacher Accountability Act, or the Fair Dismissal Act.
Addresses local funding implications under Amendment 621 of the Alabama Constitution, noting the bill would involve new or increased local expenditures but is exempt from certain requirements because it defines a new crime or amends an existing one.
Effective date: first day of the third month after passage and governor approval (or when it becomes law by other means).

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