SB445 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Clay Scofield

Republican

Co-Sponsor

J.T. Waggoner

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Police animals, trained or handled by Class One Railroad Officer or special agent, included in protection laws, Sec. 13A-11-260 am'd.

Summary

This bill extends police animal protections to dogs trained or handled by Class One Railroad Officers or special agents and clarifies related definitions and funding rules.

What This Bill Does

It adds that a police or search-and-rescue dog trained or handled by a Class One Railroad Officer or special agent is protected by existing police animal protection laws against harassment, interference, or harm. It also establishes precise definitions for terms like containment area, handler, harass, physical harm, police animal, SAR animal, and serious physical harm. The bill notes a local-funding issue but is exempt from the usual Amendment 621 requirements because it creates or amends a crime, and it becomes effective immediately after the governor signs it.

Who It Affects

• Class One Railroad Officers and their canine units (the dogs and their handlers) become protected under police animal laws.
• Peace officers, firefighters, and search and rescue personnel who use police or SAR animals (as defined in the bill) are covered by the same protections for their animals.
• Local governmental entities and taxpayers in Alabama (funding implications are addressed by statutory exemptions; the bill would not trigger local-funding approval requirements under Amendment 621).

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 13A-11-260 to include animals trained or handled by Class One Railroad Officers or special agents in the police animal protection laws.
• Defines key terms used in the article (containment area, handler, harass, physical harm, police animal, search and rescue animal, serious physical harm).
• Explicitly states that the bill is exempt from Amendment 621 local-funding requirements because it defines a new crime or amends an existing crime.
• Effective date: immediately following the governor's approval.

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

Subjects

Class One Railroad Officer