SB70 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Steve LivingstonSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Gerald H. AllenTom ButlerSam GivhanArthur OrrClay ScofieldTom Whatley

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

School of Cyber Technology and Engineering, granted same soverign immunity and participation in Educators Liability Trust Fund as provided for other public K-12 schools, board of education, administrators, and staff, Secs. 16-28A-6, added; Secs. 16-22-4.1, 36-1-12 am'd.

Summary

SB70 extends the same immunity protections and Educators Liability Trust Fund eligibility to the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering and its staff as are available to other public K-12 educators.

What This Bill Does

The bill gives the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering’s Board of Trustees and its administrators, teachers, and staff the same limited and sovereign immunity from civil liability that other public school employees have. It also allows those cyber school personnel to participate in the Educators Liability Trust Fund for liability coverage, funded and managed through the state education insurance program. Additionally, it updates definitions and references so immunities apply consistently to the cyber school, and it sets an effective date for these changes after the governor signs the bill.

Who It Affects

• Board of Trustees of the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering — gains the same immunity protections as other boards of education.
• Administrative staff, teachers, and employees of the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering — gain the same limited and sovereign civil liability immunity and eligibility to participate in the Educators Liability Trust Fund as their counterparts at other public schools.

Key Provisions

• Adds 16-28A-6 to require that references to local boards of education, administrators, teachers, or employees also refer to the Board of Trustees of the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering and its staff.
• Amends 16-22-4.1 to extend the education employee liability insurance program to the cyber school’s board and staff, with self-insurance or purchased liability coverage, coverage at no cost to personnel, and administration by the Department of Finance.
• Amends 36-1-12 to extend education employee immunity (both official and personal capacity, with typical statutory exceptions) to the cyber school’s employees, and clarifies that immunity does not override federal law or allow willful or malicious conduct to go unpunished.
• Section 3 sets the act to become effective on the first day of the third month following 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

Education