HB105 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Paul W. LeeRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Emergency responders, certified peer support member, certain communications privileged, criminal penalties for violation

Summary

The bill would make communications between emergency responders and certified peer support members confidential and create penalties for disclosing them.

What This Bill Does

It defines who counts as a certified peer support member and what a peer support event is. It says communications during a peer support event are privileged and cannot be disclosed, unless the responder waives the privilege. It lists exceptions where the privilege does not apply (e.g., the peer support member was involved in the incident, to prevent harm, or if a crime was committed) and notes that a court can decide not privileged under the Alabama Rules of Evidence. It also creates a Class B misdemeanor for anyone who reveals privileged communications or pressures someone to disclose them. The bill notes a local funds impact but states it is exempt because it creates a new crime, and it becomes effective on a set date after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Emergency responders (police, firefighters, paramedics, emergency dispatchers, and EMTs) who participate in peer support sessions; their confidential communications with certified peer support members would be protected.
• Certified peer support members and the public safety agencies that designate them (e.g., sheriffs, police chiefs, fire chiefs) who provide peer support; they are subject to the privilege and could face penalties if they disclose privileged content or pressure disclosure.

Key Provisions

• Defines certified peer support member and peer support event, and sets criteria to become certified (training, designation in writing by a chief of the relevant agency, and one designated peer support person per event).
• Provides that communications from an emergency responder to a certified peer support member during a peer support event are privileged; the responder may waive the privilege; the peer support member cannot be compelled to disclose.
• Lists exceptions where privilege does not apply (e.g., the peer support member was involved in the incident, to prevent harm, if a crime was committed, or as determined not privileged by Rule 503(d)).
• Establishes a Class B misdemeanor for a certified peer support member who reveals privileged content or for someone who threatens or coerces disclosure.
• Notes the bill is exempt from certain local-fund requirements because it creates a new crime, and states the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and gubernatorial 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

Emergency Responders