HB16 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rex ReynoldsRepresentative

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Proncey RobertsonShane StringerAndy Whitt

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Law enforcement officers, requiring officers to have not less than 16 hours of crisis intervention training

Summary

HB16 would require mandatory mental health awareness and crisis intervention training for Alabama law enforcement trainees and existing officers.

What This Bill Does

It requires the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission to provide at least 16 hours of mental health awareness training with crisis intervention concepts to all trainees in commission-approved academies by January 1, 2022. Officers certified before January 1, 2022 must complete the Mental Health Awareness program by January 1, 2025. The training becomes part of the standard curriculum and the Commission must regularly update it to reflect current practices.

Who It Affects

• Trainees in commission-approved law enforcement academies: must receive at least 16 hours of mental health awareness training with crisis intervention concepts by January 1, 2022.
• Active law enforcement officers certified before January 1, 2022: must complete the Mental Health Awareness program by January 1, 2025.

Key Provisions

• Requires the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission to provide mandatory Mental Health Awareness training incorporating crisis intervention concepts for trainees (at least 16 hours by Jan 1, 2022).
• Requires officers certified before Jan 1, 2022 to complete the Mental Health Awareness program by Jan 1, 2025.
• Incorporates the training into the curriculum required under Section 36-21-46 of the Code of Alabama 1975.
• The Commission shall annually review and update the training to reflect changes and trends in mental health awareness for first responders.
• The Commission may adopt rules to implement and administer the act.

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

Subjects

Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency