HB3 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Dickie Drake

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Barry MaskAllen FarleyPhil WilliamsDavid ColstonHarry ShiverAlan BakerAllen TreadawayJim McClendon

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Child abuse and neglect, mandatory reporting for all persons, training required for certain persons, criminal penalties for making false child abuse or neglect reports, criminal penalties for discharging, disciplining, or penalizing an employee for making a false report, The Savannah Hardin Mandatory Reporting Act, Sec. 26-14-3 am'd

Summary

HB3 would require all people in Alabama to report suspected child abuse or neglect, require annual training for licensed professionals who work with children, and create penalties for false reports and for punishing reporters.

What This Bill Does

The bill would require every person to report suspected child abuse or neglect to law enforcement or the Department of Human Resources, with immunity for good faith reports. It would also require annual mandatory training on reporting requirements for individuals with professional licenses who provide services to children. It creates Class C misdemeanor penalties for making or coercing false reports and for employers who discharge or discipline an employee solely for making a report, and outlines reporting procedures involving law enforcement, DHR, schools, and related agencies, including record expungement if no conviction and clergy confidentiality rules.

Who It Affects

• General public in Alabama: required to report suspected child abuse or neglect.
• Individuals with professional licenses or certifications who provide services to children: must complete annual mandatory training on reporting requirements.
• Employers (public or private) and their employees: could be charged with a Class C misdemeanor if they punish an employee for making a report.
• Law enforcement agencies and the Department of Human Resources: receive reports, coordinate investigations, and maintain a central registry of cases.
• Clergy: not required to report information gained solely through confidential privileged communications.

Key Provisions

• Expands mandatory reporting to all persons and requires reports to law enforcement or the Department of Human Resources when abuse or neglect is suspected.
• Immunity from criminal and civil liability for reports made in good faith.
• Annual training on mandatory reporting requirements for professionals who provide services to children.
• Class C misdemeanor penalties for making a false report or coercing another to make a false report, and for discharging, suspending, or disciplining an employee solely for making a report.
• Reporting procedures involving law enforcement, the Department of Human Resources, and the state central registry; interagency cooperation is allowed.
• Clergy privilege exception: information gained in confidential communications may limit required reporting.
• Expungement of records if an investigation does not result in a conviction.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after governor approval.
• Includes a constitutional note about local expenditure requirements, stating the bill creates a new crime or amends an existing crime and is exempt from certain local-funding vote requirements.

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

Subjects

Children