HB497 Alabama 2019 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Artis McCampbellRepresentative
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2019
Title: Class 4 municipalities, personnel system, eligibility lists, appointments and probationary periods, further provided, Secs. 11-44B-43, 11-44B-44 am'd.
Summary: HB 497 changes hiring rules for Class 4 municipalities by removing felony/dishonesty disqualification and making all appointments probationary from the start, with a temporary pause if the employee takes leave.
What This Bill Does
This bill removes the prohibition that barred people with felony or dishonesty convictions from municipal employment. It makes all appointments to covered jobs (including promotions, demotions, and transfers) probationary from the beginning of employment, with a default one-year probation unless state minimum standards are met sooner. A leave of absence temporarily pauses the probationary period. If state minimum standards apply, probation ends when those standards are met or after one year, whichever comes later.

Who It Affects
Job applicants and current employees for covered jobs in Class 4 municipalities: they would no longer be disqualified for felony or dishonesty convictions and would start under a probationary period that applies to promotions, demotions, and transfers.
Municipal hiring managers, HR staff, department heads, and mayors: they would implement eligibility lists, supervise probationary periods, and handle probationary discharges and related procedures under the new rules.

Key Provisions
Deletes the prohibition on municipal employment for a person convicted of a felony or an offense involving dishonesty or false statement.
All appointments to covered jobs, including promotions, demotions, and transfers, are on a probationary basis from the beginning of employment, with a one-year probation period (or until state standards are met, if applicable).
For jobs subject to state minimum standards, probation ends when standards are met or after one year, whichever is later.
A leave of absence pauses the probationary period for the length of the leave.
Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage/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: Class 4 Municipalities