HB298 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Randy WoodRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Law enforcement officers, reserve deputies and reserve police officers, educational assistance provided, peace officer definition further defined, Secs. 36-21-102, 36-30-1 am'd.

Summary

HB298 would extend state education tuition assistance and death benefits to reserve deputy and reserve police officers by adding them to the class of peace officers.

What This Bill Does

Extends free undergraduate tuition and related costs to reserve deputies and reserve police officers when they are killed or totally disabled in the line of duty. Expands the definition of peace officer to include reserve deputies and reserve police officers, so they qualify for death benefits. Maintains death benefits of $100,000 to the dependents of eligible officers, paid from the State Treasury, now including reserve officers.

Who It Affects

• Reserve deputies and reserve police officers would become eligible for education benefits if killed or totally disabled in the line of duty.
• Families and dependents of reserve deputies and reserve police officers would be eligible to receive the $100,000 death benefit (and related protections) now extended to these reserves.

Key Provisions

• Amends §36-21-102 to include reserve deputy and reserve police officer in the eligibility for free undergraduate tuition and related costs when killed or totally disabled in the line of duty.
• Amends §36-30-1 to expand the definition of 'peace officer' to include reserve deputies and reserve police officers for purposes of death benefits.
• Extends the $100,000 death benefit to the dependents of reserve deputies and reserve police officers who are killed or die due to on-duty injuries or heart attack/stroke as defined.
• Effective date: the act takes effect on the first day of the third month after it passes and is approved.

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

Subjects

Law Enforcement