HB214 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Kerry Rich

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Education, public K-12, Teacher Bill of Rights, created, distribution and posting of bill of rights provided

Summary

HB 214 would create a Teacher Bill of Rights for Alabama public K-12 schools and require its distribution and posting.

What This Bill Does

It lists specific rights for teachers, including immunity and legal defense for actions taken in the line of duty, discipline rights within local policy, and the ability to remove disruptive students while following policy. It also emphasizes a safe learning environment, respectful treatment, parental involvement in disciplinary decisions, limited and reasonable paperwork, and mentoring for beginning teachers. The bill requires local boards to adopt supporting policies, distribute copies to teachers and parents, and post the rights in schools and on websites, and it creates a Paperwork Reduction Committee to study burdens and report findings. It does not create private legal actions and does not override other laws, with an effective date a few months after passage.

Who It Affects

• Teachers in Alabama public K-12 schools, who gain listed rights and protections (including liability protections and access to mentoring for beginners).
• Students and their parents, who benefit from a safer, more respectful classroom environment and from parental involvement in certain disciplinary decisions, with the rights posted and accessible.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Teacher Bill of Rights enumerating nine specific rights for teachers.
• Provides immunity, legal defense, and potential indemnification for teachers acting within approved policy when disciplining or handling duties.
• Allows teachers to remove persistently disruptive students following school policy and place them with the principal or designee.
• Protects teachers' professional discretion in disciplinary actions and requires respect from administrators.
• Guarantees a safe, orderly learning environment and civil treatment of teachers.
• Requires parental communication and involvement in appropriate disciplinary decisions.
• Limits paperwork to what is not excessively burdensome and compliant with law and policy.
• Provides mentoring and leadership support for beginning teachers.
• Requires local boards to distribute copies, post the rights in schools and websites, and inform parents.
• Establishes a Paperwork Reduction Committee to review burdens and report findings with deadlines.
• Not a private right of action and does not supersede other laws or policies.
• Effective date is the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education