HB408 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mack N. ButlerRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Chemical endangerment, reporting by doctor or healthcare professional, oral report within two hours of suspicion regardless of whether blood or urine test results are available, Sec. 26-14-3 am'd.

Summary

Requires health care professionals to report suspected child chemical endangerment within two hours, even if test results are not yet available, with a written report after confirmation.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends Section 26-14-3 to add a two-hour oral reporting requirement for doctors and other health care professionals who suspect a child is chemically endangered by exposure to a controlled substance. It requires an oral report to law enforcement within two hours, and a written report to law enforcement once medical tests confirm the endangerment. It preserves the existing rule that professionals who aid a child must report suspected abuse or neglect, and integrates the chemical endangerment rule into that framework.

Who It Affects

• Health care professionals (doctors, nurses, clinics, hospitals, and other listed providers) who suspect a child is chemically endangered must report within two hours.
• Law enforcement and the Department of Human Resources receive the initial oral report and, if tests confirm endangerment, require a written report to document the case.

Key Provisions

• Adds a two-hour oral reporting requirement to law enforcement for suspected child chemical endangerment due to unlawful exposure to a controlled substance (Section 26-14-3(a)(2)).
• Requires a written report to law enforcement after medical test results confirm chemical endangerment.
• Maintains existing immediate oral reporting requirements for suspected abuse or neglect by many professionals who render aid to a child and ties the chemical endangerment rule into that framework.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and approval.

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

Subjects

Chemical Endangerment