HB310 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

April WeaverSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Health care facilities, gunshot wounds and stabbings, report to law enforcement, doctor/patient privilege not to apply

Summary

HB310 would require Alabama health care facilities to report gunshot and stabbing injuries to law enforcement without patient authorization, overriding doctor-patient privilege.

What This Bill Does

It would compel health care facilities to report all reportable wounds (gunshot, knife, and similar injuries) to the local police or sheriff as soon as possible, but no later than 72 hours after the patient seeks care. The report can be oral or written and must be documented in the facility's records, including information about the wound, circumstances, and the patient's identity. The reporting obligation overrides existing privileges like doctor-patient confidentiality, provides immunity for good-faith reporters, and limits legal action to the Attorney General or district attorneys; private lawsuits are not created, and certain on-duty exemptions apply.

Who It Affects

• Health care facilities and their staff, who must report relevant injuries to law enforcement and may disclose information that would normally be protected by doctor-patient privilege.
• Law enforcement agencies (local police and county sheriffs) and state prosecutors (Attorney General and district attorneys) who receive the reports, enforce the act, and operate under its reporting and enforcement framework.

Key Provisions

• Defines health care facility and reportable condition, including gunshot, powder burn, knife, or other sharp injuries caused by discharge of a weapon.
• Mandates reporting to local police department or county sheriff's office for every reportable condition, with reports due as soon as possible and no later than 72 hours after the patient presents for care; reporting can be oral or written and must be recorded in facility records.
• Requires reporting information to include wound type, circumstances of the wound, patient name and other identifying information, and related immediate circumstances.
• Extends that the reporting obligations supersede any privilege (including doctor-patient privilege) and that confidential communications do not excuse or bar reporting; disclosures do not affect existing protections in other statutes.
• Provides immunity from civil or criminal liability for those acting in accordance with the act or attempting in good faith to do so; restricts enforcement to the Attorney General or district attorneys and does not create a private right of action.
• Notwithstanding the reporting requirements, does not apply to wounds received by military personnel or on-duty law enforcement officers; sets an effective date that is the first day of the third month after passage.

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

Subjects

Health