SB450 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Trip Pittman

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Municipalities, counties, other local government entities, employees, liability limited under certain conditions, Sec. 11-93-4 added

Summary

SB450 would protect most local government employees from personal liability for actions taken while on the job, unless they acted in bad faith, maliciously, or with reckless disregard for rights, safety, or property.

What This Bill Does

The bill adds a new section stating that local government employees are not personally liable in tort for acts within the course and scope of their employment, except when they act in bad faith, with malicious purpose, or with wanton and willful disregard. In most cases, the lawsuit would be against the local government entity rather than the employee. The act also defines what counts as acting within the course and scope and sets a rebuttable presumption that actions done during work hours and at work locations are within scope. The government entity would not be liable for acts outside the course and scope or for acts done in bad faith or with malicious purpose.

Who It Affects

• Local government employees: generally protected from personal liability for actions within the course and scope of employment, with exceptions for bad faith, malicious purpose, or wanton and willful disregard.
• Local governmental entities (cities, counties, and other local government bodies): become the primary defendant in most tort claims arising from employee acts within scope, but only liable unless the act was in bad faith, malicious, or showed wanton and willful disregard; not liable for acts outside scope or done in bad faith/malice.

Key Provisions

• Adds Section 11-93-4 establishing that employees are not personally liable for torts arising from acts within the course and scope of employment, unless the employee acted in bad faith, with malicious purpose, or with wanton and willful disregard for rights, safety, or property.
• States that the exclusive remedy is against the governmental entity, unless the act or omission was committed in bad faith, with malicious purpose, or with wanton and willful disregard.
• Defines course and scope of employment, including a rebuttable presumption that acts within the time and place of employment are within the course and scope.
• Becomes effective immediately upon passage and governor's 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

Municipalities