SB345 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Greg AlbrittonSenator

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

This bill makes certification of public safety telecommunicators optional unless local sheriffs or police chiefs require it, with a transitional enrollment period for new hires and a grandfather clause for existing staff.

What This Bill Does

The bill allows local officials (sheriffs or chiefs of police) to require certification for public safety telecommunicators under Statewide 911 Board rules. For hires on or after July 1, 2022, there is a 180-day window to enroll in certification, during which they may perform duties without full certification. Telecommunicators employed at a primary PSAP receiving 911 calls 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 passage and approval.

Who It Affects

• Public safety telecommunicators: certification requirements are determined by local authorities; new hires have 180 days to enroll but can work without certification during that period; those hired before mid-2022 may be exempt from coursework.
• Sheriffs and chiefs of police: gain authority to decide whether telecommunicators in their jurisdiction must be certified under board rules.

Key Provisions

• Certification of telecommunicators shall be required only if deemed necessary by the county sheriff or municipal chief of police under Statewide 911 Board rules.
• Individuals hired on or after July 1, 2022 must enroll in the certification process within 180 days and may perform duties without certification during that period.
• Telecommunicators who were performing duties for a primary PSAP receiving 911 calls on or before June 30, 2022 are not required to complete coursework for certification.
• The act takes effect on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval.

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