SB492 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rodger SmithermanSenator

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Linda Coleman-MadisonVivian Davis Figures

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

SB492 would require school teachers and officials to report suspected child abuse or neglect and require principals or superintendents to forward those reports to the proper authorities.

What This Bill Does

It adds school teachers and officials to the list of mandatory reporters and requires them to report by submitting a written report to the principal or employing superintendent, who must forward a copy to the appropriate authority. A reporter is in compliance if the written report is submitted by the end of the next school day after becoming aware of the suspected abuse. It also describes how reports are coordinated with the Department of Human Resources and law enforcement, and notes that investigations may lead to expungement of records if there is no conviction, while preserving clergy confidentiality where applicable.

Who It Affects

• School teachers and officials: required to report suspected abuse or neglect and ensure a written report reaches the appropriate authorities via the principal or superintendent.
• Principals, superintendents, and school districts: responsible for receiving reports from teachers and forwarding copies to the proper authorities and coordinating with state agencies during investigations.

Key Provisions

• Adds school teachers and officials to the mandatory reporters listed in 26-14-3 and requires them to report suspected abuse or neglect (oral/telephone initial report followed by a written report).
• Requires the principal or superintendent to forward a copy of the report to the proper authorities and coordinates reporting/investigation with the Department of Human Resources and law enforcement, including provisions for expungement if no conviction and exceptions for clergy confidentiality.

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