HB523 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rodney Sullivan

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Peer support members, authorizes Alabama Fire College to certify peer support members, Sec. 36-21-14 am'd.

Summary

The bill lets the Alabama Fire College certify peer support members for emergency responders, in addition to the current certifying authority at the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency.

What This Bill Does

It expands who can certify peer support members to include the Alabama Fire College. It defines what a certified peer support member is, including training and designation requirements, and limits one certified peer support member per peer support event. It also outlines confidentiality rules for communications during peer support, with specific exceptions, and sets the bill's effective date.

Who It Affects

• Emergency responders (police, firefighters, paramedics, emergency dispatchers, and emergency medical technicians, as well as assigned chaplains) who may receive peer support services and whose conversations with peer supporters are protected by privilege.
• Agency leaders and certifying bodies (sheriffs, police chiefs, fire chiefs, and the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency and Alabama Fire College) who designate and oversee peer support members and certify them to provide services.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes the Alabama Fire College to certify peer support members, in addition to the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency.
• Defines Certified Peer Support Member as an emergency responder or chaplain who has training in critical incident stress management and is certified by ASLEA or the Alabama Fire College to provide emotional or moral support.
• Requires training from recognized agencies (e.g., International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, National Organization for Victim Assistance, American Red Cross, Regional Counterdrug Training Academy) and a written designation by the head of the relevant agency to provide peer support.
• Limits each peer support event to only one certified peer support member assigned to provide services.
• Protects communications between a responder and a certified peer support member as privileged during a peer support event, with specific exceptions including non-privilege in certain circumstances and waivers by the responder.
• Specifies exceptions to privilege (e.g., if the peer support member was an initial responder, if disclosure is necessary to prevent harm or a serious threat, or if a court determines the communications are not privileged).
• Effective date: the first day of the third month after passage and governor's 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

Peer Support Members