SB316 Alabama 2010 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Trip Pittman
Republican
Co-Sponsors: Phil Poole Tom Butler George M. “Marc” Keahey Wendell Mitchell Bobby D. Singleton Kim Benefield Lowell Barron T.D. “Ted” Little Roger Bedford, Jr.Bobby Denton Hank Sanders Zeb Little Harri Anne Smith
Session: Regular Session 2010
Title: Teachers, principals, and education employees, State Superintendent of Education, revocation of education certificate or termination of employment required for conviction of felony or sex offense involving a child, regarding Teacher Tenure Law, Teacher Accountability Act, and Fair Dismissal Act, Secs. 16-24-8.1, 16-24B-3.1, 36-26-102.1 added; Sec. 16-23-5 am'd.
Summary: SB316 would immediately revoke teaching certificates and terminate employment for educators convicted of Class A felonies or sex offenses involving a child, and extend automatic dismissal rules under tenure and dismissal laws.
What This Bill Does
The bill requires the State Superintendent of Education to revoke certificates for holders convicted of Class A felonies or sex offenses involving a child, and it mandates immediate cancellation or termination of employment for educators convicted of any such offenses. It adds new rules to allow immediate cancellation of contracts for teachers on continuing service status, principals, and nonprobationary employees, with reinstatement and back-pay provisions if the conviction is overturned on appeal. It also creates a broad list of offenses that would trigger automatic disenfranchisement from certification and clarifies processes for reinstatement, placement, and back-pay upon reversal, along with possible paid leave while adjustments are made.

Who It Affects
Educators with teaching certificates or employment contracts (including teachers on continuing service status, principals, and contract principals, as well as nonprobationary employees) who would face immediate certificate revocation or job termination upon certain felony or child-sex offenses.
State and local education officials (State Superintendent of Education and local boards of education) who administer certification, employment actions, reinstatement decisions, and related back-pay reimbursements.

Key Provisions
Amends Section 16-23-5 to authorize the State Superintendent of Education to immediately disenfranchise and revoke a certificate for immorality or certain listed offenses, with a detailed list of offenses that trigger automatic consequences.
Adds Sections 16-24-8.1, 16-24B-3.1, and 36-26-102.1 to provide for the immediate cancellation of the employment contract of a teacher on continuing service status, a principal, or a contract principal, and the immediate termination of a nonprobationary employee convicted of a felony or sex offense involving a child.
If a conviction is overturned on appeal, requires immediate reinstatement of the certificate or the employee, placement in a position commensurate with licensure or on paid administrative leave, and reimbursement of back pay and benefits within 45 days from the date of reversal.
Local boards and the State Superintendent may pursue other legal action related to the underlying conviction even after reinstatement.
The act becomes effective immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor.

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