SJR18 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Del Marsh

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Emergency Task Force, school safety and security, created

Summary

SJR18 creates an Emergency Task Force on School Safety and Security to study Alabama's school safety laws and policies and recommend immediate actions.

What This Bill Does

It establishes a diverse task force to review current state laws, regulations, protocols, and minimum standards for school safety; identify gaps; and propose immediate legislative actions to improve safety in public schools and higher education. The task force must deliver its findings by December 31, 2016 and be dissolved afterward. Appointments are due within 30 days, the first meeting is by August 1, 2016, and the Legislature provides staff support; members serve without pay but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses.

Who It Affects

• Educators and local school districts (teachers, superintendents, school boards) who will be represented on the task force and whose safety policies may be reviewed and updated.
• Students and school communities who may benefit from stronger safety measures and policies identified by the task force.
• Higher education institutions (presidents of four-year and two-year colleges) who are represented to address safety across colleges and universities.
• Law enforcement, emergency management, and public safety professionals (secretaries, sheriffs, police chiefs, emergency managers, and active shooter response experts) who provide technical guidance and expertise.
• State agencies and professionals related to education, information technology, mental health, and legal matters (e.g., IT secretary, Department of Mental Health, legal education expert) who contribute to evaluating current rules and identifying gaps.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Emergency Task Force on School Safety and Security to study state laws, regulations, protocols, and minimum standards related to school safety.
• Specifies task force membership to include a wide range of educational, law enforcement, emergency management, IT, and policy figures, plus legislative leaders and legal experts.
• Task force duties include a comprehensive review of current safety policies, identifying gaps, and submitting recommendations for immediate legislative actions to improve safety in public schools and higher education.
• Appointments to the task force must occur within 30 days; the first meeting must occur by August 1, 2016; the task force will elect officers and set subsequent meeting dates.
• House and Senate provide staff support; members serve without pay but may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses; findings and recommendations are due by December 31, 2016, after which the task force is dissolved.

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

Subjects

Resolutions, Legislative