SB322 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Call centers, certain terms further defined, to require employers relocating call centers to notify Secretary of Commerce Dept. rather than the Dept. of Economic and Community Affairs director, Act 2019-374, 2019 Reg. Sess., am'd; Sec. 41-23-230, 41-23-231, 41-23-235 am'd.

Summary

SB322 would shift call-center relocation notifications from the ADECA director to the Secretary of the Department of Commerce, define related terms, limit penalties, and apply retroactively to September 1, 2019.

What This Bill Does

It defines key terms related to call centers and relocation, and requires employers relocating call centers to notify the Secretary of Commerce at least 120 days before relocation, but only if the move affects 30% or more of the center's volume and the employer has a qualifying contract within the last five years. If notice is not given, the Attorney General can pursue civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day, with the total penalty capped by the unamortized value of state incentives received on or after September 1, 2019, and a court may reduce penalties for just cause. The act is retroactive to September 1, 2019, becomes effective immediately upon passage, and does not authorize withholding of pay or benefits or alter contract terms.

Who It Affects

• Call-center employers in Alabama that relocate, particularly those with qualifying state grants, loans, or tax credits, who must notify the Secretary of Commerce and may face penalties for noncompliance.
• State enforcement and employees: the Secretary of Commerce becomes the notification recipient, the Attorney General and courts enforce penalties, and employees are protected from any changes to pay or benefits under this act.

Key Provisions

• Defines terms such as call center, relocation, employer, contract, grant/loan/tax credit, and part-time employee, and clarifies the roles of the ADECA Director and the Secretary of Commerce.
• Requires relocation notice to the Secretary of Commerce at least 120 days before relocation, applicable when 30% or more of the call center's volume is moved and the employer has a qualifying contract within the prior five years.
• Imposes civil penalties for failing to notify: up to $10,000 per day, with the total cap equal to the unamortized value of state incentives received on or after September 1, 2019; penalties can be reduced for just cause by the court.
• Retroactive effect to September 1, 2019 and immediate effectiveness upon passage; clarifies that the act does not withhold employee pay/benefits or alter existing contract terms.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Call Centers