HB292 Alabama 2020 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Phillip PettusRepresentative
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2020
Title: Emergency responders, Alabama Fire College authorized to provide certification to peer support members, Sec. 36-21-14 am'd.
Summary: HB292 lets the Alabama Fire College certify peer support members for emergency responders, in addition to the existing certification by the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency.
What This Bill Does
It adds the Alabama Fire College as an eligible certifier of peer support members who provide emotional and moral support to emergency responders. It defines who can be a certified peer support member and the steps to qualify (must be an emergency responder or chaplain; completed training in critical incident stress management or peer support from a recognized agency; written designation by the head of the responding agency; only one certified peer support member per event). It preserves privileged communications during peer support events, with specified exceptions. The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval, or when it becomes law otherwise.

Who It Affects
Emergency responders (law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, emergency dispatchers, EMTs, and chaplains) who may receive emotional and moral support and may become certified peer support members.
Agency heads and public safety organizations (sheriffs, police chiefs, fire chiefs, and other heads of emergency service agencies) who designate peer support providers and oversee certification; the Alabama Fire College as a new certifying entity.

Key Provisions
Authorizes the Alabama Fire College to certify peer support members to provide emotional and moral support to emergency responders.
Defines Certified Peer Support Member and Emergency Responder, and outlines eligibility: emergency responder or chaplain; training in critical incident stress management or peer support by recognized agencies; written designation by a sheriff, police chief, fire chief, or other agency head; only one certified peer support member per peer support event.
Keeps communications during a peer support event privileged, with the responder able to waive the privilege and the member not being compelled to testify or disclose contents.
Adds exceptions to the privilege: if the peer support member was an initial responder, witness, or party to the incident; if disclosure is needed to prevent harm or a serious threat to public safety; if a crime was committed; or if a court determines the communications are not privileged under Rule 503(d).
Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval, or its otherwise becoming law.

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