SB25 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Student harassment prevention, reassignment of students to another school, Education Department to post model policy on Internet website, immunity for reporting harassment, Student Harassment Prevention Act renamed the Alex Moore Anti-Bullying Act, Secs. 16-28B-1, 16-28B-4, 16-28B-5, 16-28B-9 am'd.

Summary

Renames Alabama's Student Harassment Prevention Act to the Alex Moore Anti-Bullying Act and adds new rules for preventing harassment, including student reassignment, online posting of a model policy, and reporting immunity.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the bill changes the name of the act, allows a student who is harassed to be reassigned to another school to protect them, requires the Department of Education to post its model anti-harassment policy online, and grants civil liability immunity to people who report harassment in good faith. It also requires local boards to implement a detailed model policy with reporting, investigation, consequences, and anti-retaliation provisions, with enforcement provisions such as alternative school placement after a third offense for grades 6–12. Noncompliance could make a district ineligible for state funding.

Who It Affects

• Students in Alabama schools (victims and alleged harassers) who would gain (or be subject to) reassignment, reporting procedures, and potential disciplinary actions; reporters would have civil liability immunity when reporting harassment in good faith.
• School districts, the Alabama Department of Education, teachers and staff, and parents/guardians who must implement and follow the model policy, provide reporting channels, notify families, and face funding consequences if they do not comply.

Key Provisions

• Rename the Act to the Alex Moore Anti-Bullying Act.
• Allow a student to be reassigned to another school to separate the student from the harassment situation.
• Direct the Department of Education to post its model harassment policy on the department's website.
• Provide civil liability immunity for individuals who report harassment in good faith.
• Require the department to develop and post a model policy with components including prohibition, definitions, behavior expectations, graduated consequences, reporting and investigation procedures, anti-retaliation measures, and consequences for false accusations; require public notice and complaint forms.
• Require local boards to adopt or conform local policies, publish procedures for reporting, and notify parents/guardians about harassment policies and penalties.
• In grades 6–12, require alternative school placement after a student commits harassment for the third time in a school year.
• Clarify that transportation to a transferred school is not required.
• Create funding related consequences: boards not in compliance with the model policy may become ineligible to receive state funding.

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