HB449 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Allen Farley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Public education, volunteer emergency security forces in K-12 schools of current and retired employees and citizens authorized, sheriff and chief of police to train and supervise, state and local boards to implement

Summary

The bill would let public K-12 schools form trained volunteer emergency security forces made up of current/retired staff and local residents, supervised by sheriffs and police, with rules for training, weapons, and funding.

What This Bill Does

Principals can request volunteers when extra security is needed. The sheriff reviews the volunteer list and can start a trained emergency security force if there are enough suitable volunteers, coordinating with the local police as needed. A crisis response plan is created and, if weapons are used, storage and use rules are established and approved by the sheriff (and the local police). Volunteers serve as reserve deputy sheriffs without arrest powers, receive required training, and work under supervision; they are generally not paid but may be reimbursed for expenses and may receive salary supplements from the local board. The local board funds training and equipment, and the state provides indemnification for participants; rules and implementation are overseen by the State Board of Education and local boards, with sheriffs allowed to consult NASRO and the Alabama Statewide 911 Board. The act becomes effective three months after the governor approves it.

Who It Affects

• Public K-12 students: potential safety improvements from having trained volunteer security staff at their schools.
• Public school employees (current and retired) and local residents who volunteer: may join the emergency security force, undergo training, be supervised by the sheriff and police, and be eligible for expense reimbursements or salary supplements; volunteers would serve as reserve deputies without arrest powers.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes formation of trained volunteer school emergency security forces at public K-12 schools, comprised of current/retired school employees and local residents.
• Sheriff coordinates with the local chief of police to review volunteers and may initiate the program; a detailed crisis response plan with weapon storage and use guidelines is required and must be approved by the sheriff (and police).
• Volunteers become reserve deputy sheriffs but do not have arrest power; they receive training and are supervised; they are generally not paid but may be reimbursed for expenses and may receive salary supplements from the local board.
• Local boards pay for training and equipment; the state indemnifies participants and related officials against settlements or judgments arising from acts within the scope of service, with certain misconduct exclusions.
• State and local boards are responsible for implementing the act; sheriffs may consult NASRO and the Alabama Statewide 911 Board to aid local implementation.
• Effective date is the first day of the third month after the governor signs the bill.

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

Subjects

Education