SB392 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Clyde ChamblissSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Child abuse, law enforcement and Dept. of Human Resources, reports of suspected abuse require to be made to both law enforcement and Dept. of Human Resources, and delegate investigative duties between both, Secs. 26-14-1, 26-14-3 am'd.

Summary

SB392 would require suspected child abuse and neglect to be reported to both local law enforcement and the Department of Human Resources, and would assign investigative duties to each agency.

What This Bill Does

If passed, it requires oral and written reports of suspected child abuse or neglect to be sent to both local law enforcement and the Department of Human Resources. Local law enforcement would investigate reports of criminal abuse and neglect of children, while the Department of Human Resources would investigate all other reports and coordinate protective services when appropriate. The bill also allows interagency cooperation and requires expungement of records if an investigation does not lead to a conviction.

Who It Affects

• Local law enforcement agencies: must receive reports and investigate criminal abuse/neglect of children.
• Department of Human Resources and the children and families it serves: must receive reports and investigate non-criminal abuse/neglect and provide protective services.

Key Provisions

• Requires oral and written reports of suspected child abuse/neglect to both local law enforcement and the Department of Human Resources.
• Divides investigations: local law enforcement handles criminal abuse/neglect; DHR handles all other reports and protective services.
• Allows interagency agreements between DHR, law enforcement, and other state agencies to coordinate investigations.
• Expungement: if an investigation does not result in a conviction, the agency must expunge the record of the information.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after the Governor's approval.

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

Subjects

Child Abuse