SB49 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rodger SmithermanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Law enforcement, requiring mandatory mental health evaluations for any or continued employment, exceptions

Summary

SB49 would require law enforcement officers in Alabama to undergo periodic mental health evaluations as a condition of continued employment, with scheduling options and specific exceptions.

What This Bill Does

Starting Jan 1, 2023, every law enforcement agency must require each officer to submit to periodic mental health assessments. Assessments must be conducted by a board-certified psychiatrist or licensed psychologist with experience diagnosing PTSD, and the results—including whether the officer has ever been diagnosed with PTSD—must be provided in writing to the officer and to the agency's administrative head. The minimum frequency is once every five years, with scheduling allowed to stagger assessments so all officers are evaluated within a five-year period. The act also allows waivers, additional assessments for good cause, and requires new hires (or hires from other agencies) to undergo an assessment within six months of hire; the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

Who It Affects

• Law enforcement officers employed by Alabama law enforcement agencies who will be required to undergo periodic mental health assessments and may be subject to additional assessments or waivers.
• Administrative heads of law enforcement agencies (e.g., sheriffs, chiefs of police, or state agency leaders) who must schedule assessments, manage waivers, authorize additional assessments for good cause, and receive written assessment results.

Key Provisions

• Requires each law enforcement officer to submit to periodic mental health assessments as a condition of continued employment.
• Assessments must be conducted by a board-certified psychiatrist or licensed psychologist with experience diagnosing and treating PTSD; results, including PTSD history, must be provided in writing to the officer and the agency head.
• Assessments must occur not less than once every five years, with scheduling allowed to stagger assessments so all officers are evaluated within a five-year period.
• The administrative head may waive the requirement if the officer retires within six months of the scheduled assessment; the act also allows for additional assessments for good cause, with a written justification and a 30-day deadline.
• New hires must undergo a mental health assessment within six months of hire; officers moving from another agency must be assessed within six months of hire, with consideration given to prior assessment dates.

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

Subjects

Law Enforcement