HB438 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Phillip PettusRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Law enforcement, co. and municipal, injured while on duty, county or municipality required to compensate throughout the officer's period of recovery at normal rate of compensation

Summary

HB 438 would require counties and municipalities to pay county or municipal police officers injured on duty at their normal pay rate during recovery, with any insurance payments counted toward that rate.

What This Bill Does

The bill extends a current rule that applies to state police to local police, requiring ongoing pay during recovery for on-duty injuries. Eligible officers are full-time, certified by the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission with no limited authority. If an injury occurs in the line of duty (including during pursuits, conflicts, or defense of persons or property) and is not due to willful misconduct, the employer must compensate the officer at the normal rate during recovery, and insurance or self-insurance payments count toward that rate, with the employer making up any shortfall to reach the normal rate.

Who It Affects

• County and municipal law enforcement officers who are injured on duty and are eligible for ongoing compensation at their normal pay rate during recovery.
• Counties and municipalities that employ these officers, who must pay the ongoing compensation and coordinate with insurers to ensure the officer receives their normal rate (including topping up if insurance payments are less than the normal rate).

Key Provisions

• Extends the on-duty injury compensation requirement from state police to county and municipal police officers.
• Defines eligible officers as full-time, certified by the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission with no limited authority beyond what the law provides.
• Requires continued payment of the officer's normal rate during the entire recovery period when the injury occurred in the line of duty and not due to willful misconduct, including during conflict, pursuit, or defense of persons or property.
• Credits any insurance or self-insurer compensation toward the officer's normal rate; if these payments are less than the normal rate, the county or municipality must pay the difference to reach the normal rate.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and 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

Law Enforcement Officers