SB56 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to public K-12 schools; to add Section 16-39-13 to the Code of Alabama 1975; to require local boards of education to install, maintain, and operate video cameras in certain self-contained classrooms providing special education services, if the funding to do so is available; and to provide protections for the use of video recordings.

Summary

Tyler's Law would require local boards of education to install, operate, and maintain video cameras in self-contained K-12 classrooms with a majority of students receiving special education services, if funding is available, and to set rules for how those recordings can be used and shared.

What This Bill Does

If funding allows, local boards must provide and place cameras in self-contained classrooms, recording audio and video during school hours and whenever students are present, and ensure coverage of all areas as funds permit. Written notice must be given to parents or guardians about camera placement; recordings are confidential and only released in ways allowed by FERPA and state law. Recordings must be kept for at least three months, with extensions during summer breaks or until investigations and related proceedings are finished. Access to recordings is limited to specified individuals (such as involved staff, parents/guardians, investigators, law enforcement, and legal counsel), and identity of uninvolved students must be concealed.

Who It Affects

• Students in self-contained classrooms where at least half of regular attendees receive special education services (their classrooms may have cameras and recorded material).
• Parents or legal guardians of those students (notified about placement and may have access to recordings under FERPA).
• Local boards of education and school staff (responsible for installing, maintaining, operating, and managing recordings, subject to funding).
• Investigators, state agencies, law enforcement, and legal counsel involved in alleged incidents (may request and view recordings).
• Contractors or employees who install or maintain equipment (may incidentally view recordings but are protected from violations when incidental).

Key Provisions

• Adds Section 16-39-13 to define a self-contained classroom as a public K-12 classroom where at least half of the regularly attending students receive special education services; includes rooms attached to the classroom and related areas used for special services.
• If funding is available, local boards may provide, place, operate, and maintain video cameras in each self-contained classroom to record audio and video during school hours and whenever a student is present; cameras should cover all areas as funding allows; donations may trigger installation.
• Boards must give written notice to each parent/guardian about camera placement; recordings are confidential and release is limited by FERPA and state law.
• Recordings are allowed to be released to specified individuals during investigations of alleged abuse, neglect, harassment, or other inappropriate behavior, including involved staff, parents/guardians, designated investigators, law enforcement, legal counsel, and investigators retained by any listed party.
• All recordings must be retained for at least three months, with extensions for summer breaks or until all investigations and legal/administrative proceedings are completed.
• Recordings may not be used for routine teacher evaluations, routine classroom monitoring, or any purpose not conforming to this section; FERPA rights to view recordings are not diminished; identity of uninvolved students must be concealed.

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

Subjects

Education, use of video cameras in certain special education classrooms required