SB80 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rodger SmithermanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Sensitivity training for law enforcement officers

Summary

SB80 would require sensitivity training for Alabama law enforcement, recruit clinical-level social workers as officers, and require firearm-carrying officers to also carry a non-lethal weapon.

What This Bill Does

The bill would add a sensitivity training program to police academy and ongoing education, require agencies to recruit licensed clinical social workers to become sworn officers, and require officers who carry firearms to also carry a non-lethal weapon with proper training. Training would focus on bias, diversity, cultural competency, and de-escalation, plus crisis intervention and related skills. Dates are set for implementation starting in 2024 and full compliance for officers beginning January 1, 2025. The commission would oversee and report on compliance to the legislature.

Who It Affects

• Law enforcement officers (state and local): must complete the sensitivity training, uphold continuing education, and, if armed, carry a non-lethal weapon with appropriate training.
• Law enforcement agencies and licensed clinical social workers: agencies must recruit clinical-level social workers to become sworn officers who will assist in high-intensity situations such as crisis intervention and ethical, diverse, and behavior-related work.

Key Provisions

• The Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission must require a sensitivity training program to be included in officer academy courses, developed with the Alabama Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers or a similar organization.
• Certified officers must complete and report continuing education hours in sensitivity training to the commission.
• Starting January 1, 2025, all officers certified by the commission must complete the sensitivity training program, covering bias, cultural competency, diversity, interactions with various populations, and de-escalation/decision-making.
• The commission must establish rules to ensure compliance and report compliance to the Speaker of the House and President Pro Tempore of the Senate on or before the first day of each regular session.
• State and local agencies must recruit licensed clinical social workers to become sworn officers, with social workers trained in crisis intervention, ethics, diversity, and related areas to help mitigate high-intensity situations.
• Uniformed officers who carry firearms must also carry a non-lethal weapon and be trained in its appropriate use.
• The act becomes effective October 1, 2024.

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

Subjects

Public Safety & Emergencies