House Bill 461 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Russell BedsoleRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Marion Military Institute; program to grant APOSTC certification to graduates, established

Summary

HB461 would establish a Marion Military Institute program that may confer an associate degree and provide the basic training for Alabama law enforcement certification, with provisional certification given at graduation and full certification after hire.

What This Bill Does

The bill lets Marion Military Institute create an associate-degree program that includes the basic training required for Alabama LEO certification through the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission (APOSTC). Graduates would receive provisional certification upon graduation if they are hired by an Alabama law enforcement agency within the provisional period. Once hired, they would become fully certified; if not hired by the end of the provisional period, the provisional certification expires. The institute would be recognized as an Alabama LEO training academy, and rules would be adopted to implement and administer the program, with the institute and APOSTC working together to run it.

Who It Affects

• Marion Military Institute students who enroll in the new program and may earn an associate degree plus provisional LEO certification upon graduation.
• Alabama law enforcement agencies and job applicants who hire these graduates, who would grant provisional certification and potentially full certification after hire, subject to a provisional period of at least six months and commission rules.

Key Provisions

• Adds Sections 16-60-340 and 36-21-46.1 to authorize Marion Military Institute to offer an associate degree and provide the basic training for Alabama LEO certification through APOSTC.
• Graduates would receive provisional Alabama LEO certification upon graduation if hired by an Alabama LEA within the provisional period; full certification follows upon hire.
• If hired, the graduate becomes fully certified without additional training beyond the program; if not hired by the end of the provisional period, the provisional certification expires.
• The commission shall recognize the institute as an Alabama LEO training academy and adopt rules; the institute will work with APOSTC to implement the program.
• The provisional certification period must be at least six months; rules will establish the process and consequences if not hired in time.
• Effective date of June 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 17, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Public Safety & Emergencies