SB304 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Vivian Davis FiguresSenator

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

William “Bill” M. BeasleyRoger Bedford, Jr.Priscilla DunnRodger SmithermanQuinton RossTammy IronsLinda Coleman-Madison

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Child abuse and neglect, mandatory reporting by education employees, postsecondary and higher education employees, and physical therapists included, protection of employees for reporting, criminal penalties, Sec. 26-14-3 am'd.

Summary

SB304 expands mandatory reporting for child abuse or neglect, clarifies K-12 reporting, and makes it illegal to retaliate against reporters.

What This Bill Does

Adds physical therapists and employees of public and private colleges and universities to the list of people required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect. Clarifies that employees, teachers, and officials at public and private K-12 schools must report suspected abuse or neglect. Makes it a Class C misdemeanor for an employer to discipline or penalize an employee for reporting suspected abuse or neglect. Declares that the bill creates a new crime, which allows it to be enacted without the local government approval or funding requirements normally imposed by Amendment 621.

Who It Affects

• Physical therapists and employees of public and private colleges and universities would be legally required to report suspected child abuse or neglect.
• K-12 school employees, teachers, and officials (public and private) would be required to report suspected abuse or neglect, with penalties for employers that punish reporters.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 26-14-3 to include physical therapists and higher education employees as mandatory reporters.
• Clarifies that public and private K-12 school employees, teachers, and officials are required to report known or suspected abuse or neglect.
• Requires immediate oral reporting followed by a written report to a duly constituted authority when abuse or neglect is suspected.
• Imposes a Class C misdemeanor on employers who discharge, suspend, discipline, or penalize an employee for reporting suspected abuse or neglect.
• Excludes the bill from local-fund expenditure requirements under Amendment 621 because it creates a new crime.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Children