HB337 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mike Ball

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Terri CollinsKerry RichEd HenryMary Sue McClurkin

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Public education, definitions, arrest warrants, public school employees, issuance of arrest warrant for actions occurring while performing official duties, procedures

Summary

The bill creates formal procedures to issue arrest warrants for public education employees for actions performed while on official duties, with different rules for felonies and misdemeanors and several safety exceptions.

What This Bill Does

It defines who counts as a public education employee and sets up processes for warrants: felonies require the district attorney or attorney general to review probable cause and present it to a court (the employee may be asked to appear for review). For misdemeanors, the local law enforcement agency reviews the case and a magistrate or judge must find probable cause before a warrant is issued. It also allows alternative grand jury review for charging, permits warrantless arrests in certain presence-based situations, and lets courts consider immunities in disciplinary cases; the act repeals conflicting laws and takes effect July 1, 2014.

Who It Affects

• Public education employees (teachers, staff) who could be subject to arrest warrants for acts performed during official duties
• District attorneys/Attorney General, law enforcement agencies, and judges who apply the new warrant procedures

Key Provisions

• Defines 'public education', 'public education employee', and 'public schools' for the act.
• Felony warrants for actions during official duties require probable cause reviewed by the district attorney or attorney general and presented to a court for approval.
• Misdemeanor or municipal violation warrants require local law enforcement review and probable-cause findings by a magistrate or judge before issuance.
• Allows a grand jury to consider charges in lieu of immediate warrants, but not for investigations presented to a grand jury under this act.
• Warrantless arrests are still allowed if the offense occurs in the employee's presence and probable cause exists.
• The act allows findings explaining why immunity does not apply in certain disciplinary cases, and preserves other immunities-related provisions.
• Evidence rules apply to probable cause proceedings; conflicting laws are repealed; the act takes effect July 1, 2014.

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

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses