HB311 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

April WeaverSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Lynn GreerMike HillAlan HarperMark TuggleAllen TreadawayBarry MooreKurt WallaceElaine BeechEd HenryMac McCutcheonAllen FarleyKen Johnson

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Health care facilities, injury caused by methamphetamine production, report to law enforcement, doctor/patient privilege not to apply

Summary

HB311 requires health care facilities to report injuries suspected to be caused by methamphetamine production to law enforcement, overriding standard confidentiality protections.

What This Bill Does

Health care facilities must report to local police or sheriff any injury suspected to be from meth production, within 72 hours of patient presentation. Reports can be made orally or in writing and must be recorded in facility records. The act overrides existing privileges, including doctor-patient confidentiality, for the purpose of reporting. There is no private right of action; only the Attorney General or a county district attorney may bring action, and individuals acting in good faith are immune from civil or criminal liability; not applicable to wounds of law enforcement officers performing their duties.

Who It Affects

• Health care facilities (hospitals, clinics, etc.) in Alabama, which must report suspected meth-related injuries to local law enforcement.
• Patients presenting with injuries suspected to be related to meth production, whose information may be shared with law enforcement and whose confidential communications may be overridden for reporting purposes.

Key Provisions

• Section 2 requires health care facilities to report every reportable condition to the local police department or county sheriff's office.
• Section 4 establishes that reports may be oral or other forms, with a record of content; reporting must occur as soon as possible but no later than 72 hours after the patient presents.
• Section 5 provides immunity from civil or criminal liability for those acting in good faith to comply with the act.
• Section 6 states that only the Attorney General or the district attorney may bring actions under the act, and there is no private right of action.
• Section 7 supersedes existing privileges (including doctor-patient privilege) to the extent necessary to enable reporting.
• Section 3 excludes wounds received by law enforcement officers in the line of duty from the act's reporting requirements.
• Section 8 clarifies that disclosures under the act do not waive other confidentiality laws, such as Code provisions referenced.
• Section 9 sets the act's effective date as the first day of the third month after passage and gubernatorial 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

Health