HB519 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Shane StringerRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to public safety telecommunicators; to amend Section 11-98-16, Code of Alabama, 1975, to further provide for the certification requirements for public safety telecommunicators.

Summary

HB519 makes certification for public safety telecommunicators optional unless a sheriff or police chief requires it, with a 180-day enrollment window for new hires and grandfathering for pre-2022 staff.

What This Bill Does

Certification would be required only if the local sheriff or chief of police requires it, per rules from the Statewide 911 Board. For those hired on or after July 1, 2022, they must enroll in the certification process within 180 days but can perform duties without certification during that period. Telecommunicators who worked for a primary PSAP receiving 911 calls before July 1, 2022 would not have to complete coursework to become certified.

Who It Affects

• Public safety telecommunicators, especially newer hires made on or after July 1, 2022, who must enroll within 180 days and may work before certification is finished; older hires have a different coursework requirement.
• Sheriffs and chiefs of police, who would decide whether a telecommunicator must be certified based on board rules.

Key Provisions

• Certification under the Statewide 911 Board is required only if the sheriff or chief of police requires it, as applicable.
• New hires on or after July 1, 2022 have 180 days to enroll in the certification process and may perform duties without certification during that period.
• Public safety telecommunicators working for a primary PSAP receiving 911 calls on or before June 30, 2022 are not required to complete coursework for certification.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after it is passed and approved.

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