SB66 Alabama 2018 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Paul Bussman
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2018
Title: Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission, education requirement to become a law enforcement officer amended to include nonpublic education, Sec. 36-21-46 am'd.
Summary: SB 66 would allow graduates of nonpublic education programs (private, church/parochial, or home-school) to qualify to apply to be Alabama law enforcement officers.
What This Bill Does
It amends the education requirement in Section 36-21-46 to include graduation from nonpublic education programs as acceptable for applicants. The bill keeps existing requirements intact (age 19 or older, required training, physical health, and good character; felons cannot be certified or employed) and allows provisional appointments during certification. It also sets an effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects
Prospective applicants for Alabama law enforcement positions who graduate from nonpublic education programs (private, church/parochial, or home-school) and would become eligible to apply.
Law enforcement employers and appointing authorities (cities, towns, counties, sheriffs, etc.) and the Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission, who would apply the expanded education standard; current officers seeking a different capacity or employer are exempt from these education requirements.

Key Provisions
Education requirement now includes graduation from nonpublic education programs as acceptable for becoming a law enforcement officer.
Nonpublic education is defined to include private, church/parochial, or religious schools and home-school programs.
Current officers moving to a different capacity or employer are exempt from these education requirements.
Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor 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: Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission