SB310 Alabama 2013 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Roger Bedford, Jr.
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2013
Title: Franklin Co., creation of volunteer security forces at schools, role of sheriff and co. board of education
Summary: SB310 would authorize Franklin County public schools to form volunteer emergency security forces made up of current/retired staff and local residents, overseen by the sheriff and local police, with state indemnification for participants.
What This Bill Does
Allows principals to request volunteers for an emergency security force when safety is not adequately protected. The sheriff or local police reviews the list and, if enough suitable volunteers exist, may start the program and must help create a crisis plan, including how weapons are stored and used. Volunteers become reserve officers under supervision, receive training, may be reimbursed for expenses, and are indemnified by the state; funding and administration of training and equipment come from the local board of education.

Who It Affects
Students and school staff at Franklin County public K-12 schools, who may benefit from enhanced security and a formal crisis plan.
Volunteers (current/retired school employees and local residents) and local government entities (sheriff, local chief of police, and local boards of education), who participate in formation, training, supervision, weapon policies, funding, and legal protections.

Key Provisions
Authorizes formation of volunteer emergency security forces at Franklin County public K-12 schools from current/retired school employees and local residents when safety needs improvement.
Principal submits volunteer list to the Sheriff or local chief of police, who determines if there are enough suitable volunteers to staff the force; volunteers' identities are protected where possible.
If sufficient volunteers exist, the sheriff or chief, with school administrators, develops a detailed crisis plan including action steps and weapon storage/use rules; weapon approval must come from the sheriff or chief.
Volunteer members are classified as reserve deputy sheriffs or reserve police officers, serve at the pleasure of the sheriff or chief, have no arrest power, and operate under supervision with required training.
Volunteers receive no pay but may be reimbursed for actual necessary expenses; local boards may provide a salary supplement.
Training expenses and equipment/weapons costs are managed by the local board of education and paid from funds allocated for that purpose.
The state indemnifies volunteers and certain officials/entities against settlements or judgments arising from acts within the scope of service, with exceptions for intentional misconduct.
Each local board of education is responsible for overseeing and implementing the act within its schools.
The act takes effect immediately after governor signing or otherwise becoming law.

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