SB590 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Lowell Barron

Democrat

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

SB590 creates the Alabama Multi-Dwelling Bed Bug Control Act to require landlords and tenants in multi-family buildings to prevent, report, and control bed bug infestations, with health department education and liability rules.

What This Bill Does

It sets up findings, definitions, and responsibilities for preventing and controlling bed bugs in multi-dwelling buildings. It requires landlords to keep units infestation-free, inspect within five days of a tenant’s infestation notice, and begin control within ten days, with at least 24 hours written notice for access, while avoiding liability except in cases of gross negligence. It also mandates tenants to report infestations promptly, cooperate with inspections and treatments, and may be responsible for control costs if they fail to notify or comply; additionally, the State Health Department must publish and distribute a bed bug information pamphlet in English and Spanish.

Who It Affects

• Landlords/owners of multi-dwelling buildings: must maintain infestation-free units, inspect and start control after infestation reports, provide access notices, and may face cost recovery and liability rules related to bed bug control.
• Tenants in multi-dwelling buildings: must report infestations, permit landlord access for inspection and treatment, follow pest control protocols, and may bear costs or loss of security deposits if they fail to notify 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) and formal findings about bed bugs.
• Landlord obligations: maintain infestation-free units; inspect within five days after tenant report; begin control within ten days if infestation is found; provide at least 24 hours written notice for access; liability protections for landlords unless gross negligence; cost and damages provisions linked to infestations.
• Tenant obligations: maintain infestation-free units; report infestations within specified timeframes; grant access for inspection/treatment; comply with pest control protocols; may be financially responsible for all control costs if noncompliant or failing to notify; potential damages to security deposits.
• Cost and liability framework: tenants can be charged for bed bug control costs in their unit and surrounding units; landlords may deduct costs from security deposits or pursue separate actions to recover costs; parties may enter agreements assigning full responsibility to the tenant.
• Health Department pamphlet: department must prepare and publish an informational pamphlet about bed bugs in English and Spanish, available free to landlords/tenants, and post on the department website; pamphlet is educational and not binding as legal advice.
• Effective date and supersession: act becomes effective October 1, 2010 and overrides conflicting local laws and general laws to the extent of conflict.

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