HB404 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Johnny Mack Morrow

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Franklin Co., schools, creation of volunteer security forces, role of sheriff and co. board of education

Summary

HB404 lets Franklin County public schools form volunteer emergency security forces made up of current/retired staff and local residents, supervised by the sheriff, with implementation by the local boards of education.

What This Bill Does

Principals can request volunteers when school safety is not adequately protected. The sheriff reviews the volunteer list and, if there are enough suitable volunteers, can start the emergency security force program and develop a crisis plan with school admins. Volunteers become reserve deputy sheriffs under the sheriff, receive training, and operate under sheriff supervision with weapons and equipment approved by the sheriff; they are not paid, but may be reimbursed for expenses, and training/equipment costs are covered by the local board of education.

Who It Affects

• Franklin County students and school employees, who may benefit from increased security and emergency plans.
• Current and retired Franklin County school employees who may volunteer for the security force.
• Local residents within the Franklin County school district who may volunteer for the security force.
• The Franklin County Sheriff, who vets volunteers, provides training, oversees the force, and approves weapons/equipment.
• Local boards of education in Franklin County, which oversee implementation and fund training and equipment.

Key Provisions

• Principals may request volunteers for an emergency security force when student safety needs additional protection.
• Volunteers can be current or retired school employees, or local district residents.
• The sheriff reviews the volunteer list and can initiate the emergency security force program if there are enough suitable volunteers.
• A crisis plan is created by the sheriff and school administrators, detailing actions, weapon storage, and use conditions; weapons/equipment must be approved by the sheriff.
• Volunteer members are classified as reserve deputy sheriffs and operate under sheriff supervision, without arrest power.
• Volunteers receive training as determined by the sheriff.
• Volunteers may be reimbursed for necessary expenses; boards may provide salary supplements, but volunteers are not paid as a salary.
• Training and equipment costs are paid by the local board of education.
• Each local board of education is responsible for implementing the act within its schools.
• The act is severable and becomes effective immediately after the governor signs it into law.

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

Subjects

Franklin County