SB84 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Steve LivingstonSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

School safety, records relating to, are exempt from disclosure to public pursuant to rights to inspect public records, Sec. 36-12-40 am'd.

Summary

SB84 expands public records exemptions to shield more school safety information from public disclosure.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, it would exempt from public inspection a broader set of information about school security and safety. These include security measures and equipment used on school property, alarm systems, camera placement, security staffing, contracts for security upgrades, employee schedules, and school bus routes and security on buses. It would also exempt security plans, procedures, assessments, and other related records, as well as information about critical infrastructure and critical energy infrastructure that could threaten public safety if disclosed. Additionally, when a public records request could involve critical infrastructure, the law requires notifying the infrastructure owner and giving them a chance to comment.

Who It Affects

• Public schools and school districts, and other public bodies that respond to public records requests, because more security-related information would be exempt from disclosure.
• Parents of minor children may see fewer details about security measures in records, though general rights to records about their child remain.
• Owners of critical infrastructure and critical energy infrastructure connected to or located on school property, who must be notified of relevant requests and have an opportunity to comment.
• Security contractors, security personnel, and vendors who hold contracts or schedules related to school security, as their information and related records could be exempt.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 36-12-40 to exempt from the public-records right certain information and records relating to school safety and security.
• Specifically exempts: security measures on school property; school alarm systems; the number and placement of cameras at schools; staffing of security personnel at schools; contracts for school security enhancements; school security employee schedules; school bus routes; security measures on school buses; and security plans, procedures, assessments, measures, or systems, and related records.
• Exempts information concerning critical infrastructure (as defined by federal law) and critical energy infrastructure information that could be detrimental to public safety if disclosed.
• Requires public officers to notify the owner of infrastructure if a records request may relate to critical infrastructure and to provide that owner an opportunity to comment on the request and potential threats.
• Effective date: takes effect on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor.

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

Subjects

Public Records