HJR273 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ontario J. TillmanRepresentative

Democrat

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

The Joint Interim Study Commission on PTSD in Law Enforcement Officers, created

Summary

The bill creates a temporary joint interim study commission in Alabama to examine PTSD in first responders and how public funding can improve services, with a report due in 2026 and dissolution after that.

What This Bill Does

It establishes the Joint Interim Study Commission on PTSD in First Responders to study how state, county, and municipal governments can use funding more effectively to provide services to first responders who developed PTSD from a single isolated traumatic event in the line of duty. The commission includes key officials from state and local government groups, mental health and law enforcement agencies, and legislative leaders, and will gather input from specific professional associations. It must report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the third legislative day of the 2026 Regular Session and then be dissolved.

Who It Affects

• First responders (police, sheriff's deputies, troopers, firefighters, and related personnel) who could develop PTSD from a highly traumatic event; the bill aims to identify better funding and services for these individuals.
• State and local government entities and agencies (counties, municipalities, Alabama Department of Mental Health, Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency) and the professional associations representing them, which would oversee and implement any funding changes and service improvements.
• Professional associations and unions named for input (e.g., sheriffs, troopers, police, fire fighters groups) that would provide recommendations to the commission.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Joint Interim Study Commission on PTSD in First Responders to study funding use for PTSD services.
• Composition includes: Executive Director of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama; Executive Director of the Alabama League of Municipalities; Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Mental Health; Secretary of the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency; and Senate/House leaders from both parties.
• First meeting must occur within 60 days of passage; the commission will elect a chair and vice chair and may meet as needed.
• Administrative support provided by the Legislative Services Agency, the Clerk of the House, and the Secretary of the Senate.
• Legislative members receive per diem and travel expenses; nonlegislative members serve without pay but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses.
• The commission will solicit input from specified associations: Alabama Sheriffs Association, Alabama State Trooper Association, Alabama State Fraternal Order of Police, Professional Fire Fighters Association of Alabama, and Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police.
• The commission must prepare and submit a report with findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the Speaker of the House and President Pro Tempore of the Senate by the third legislative day of the 2026 Regular Legislative Session; the commission is then dissolved.
• The commission must provide notice of all meetings and the names of its members to the Secretary of State.
• All appointing authorities listed in the resolution receive a copy of the act.

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

Subjects

Resolutions