HB125 Alabama 2011 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: John Merrill
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2011
Title: Sheriff, employees, immunity, Sec. 14-6-1, 36-22-3 am'd.
Summary: The bill extends the sheriff's sovereign immunity to the sheriff's employees when they act under the sheriff's direction.
What This Bill Does
It would make staff such as deputies, jailers, corrections officers, and other employees or agents of the sheriff eligible for the same immunities as the sheriff. This applies when they are acting for and under the direction and supervision of the sheriff. The changes are made by amending two sections of the Alabama Code (14-6-1 and 36-22-3) and would take effect immediately after the governor signs it.

Who It Affects
Deputies, jailers, corrections officers, and other employees or agents of the sheriff, when acting under the sheriff’s direction and supervision, would have sovereign immunity like the sheriff.
Civil actions involving acts of these sheriff’s employees could face stronger immunity defenses, potentially reducing liability exposure in lawsuits.

Key Provisions
Specifies that persons employed by the sheriff who act for and under the sheriff's direction and supervision have the same immunities and legal protections as the sheriff.
Amends Section 14-6-1 to include that such employees are entitled to the same immunities as the sheriff under general laws and the Alabama Constitution.
Amends Section 36-22-3 to extend the immunity to deputies, jailers, corrections officers, or other employees or agents acting under the sheriff's direction and supervision.
Effective immediately after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Sheriffs