This bill requires public K-12 schools in Alabama to equip designated employees with mobile emergency rapid response devices by October 1, 2030, and to train staff on their use. The devices must directly connect to emergency services and provide precise location data within school buildings and grounds. The State Superintendent of Education will create a list of approved vendors for these systems, and schools may use existing security and technology funds to purchase them. The law applies to teachers, administrators, custodial staff, coaches, and other personnel who have access to students during the school day.
This bill requires all public high school students in Alabama to complete a course on violence prevention, conflict resolution, and mediation before graduating, starting with the 2027-2028 school year. The instruction must cover topics such as responsible decision-making, causes of school violence, nonviolent conflict resolution techniques, and the relationship between drugs, alcohol, and violence, and must be taught to students in grades six through twelve. The State Department of Education is tasked with developing instructional standards and materials by June 30, 2027, and assisting local schools in training teachers to deliver this curriculum. Local school boards will have the authority to determine the specific curriculum used to meet these requirements. The bill takes effect on October 1, 2026.
This bill authorizes municipalities within Escambia County to implement automated photographic speeding enforcement systems that use cameras to detect and record vehicles exceeding speed limits in designated zones like school or construction areas. The legislation establishes a civil fine process where municipalities can issue violation notices by mail, with fines capped at $195 and requiring at least $10 of each fine to be allocated toward school safety programs or related initiatives. Municipal courts are given jurisdiction to adjudicate these violations, allowing vehicle owners to contest fines through administrative hearings where the municipality must prove the speeding violation occurred. The bill also mandates public notice requirements, including signage and awareness campaigns, and outlines procedures for issuing violation notices that include photographic evidence and information about contesting the fine.
HB 235 provides $419.7 million in supplemental funding from Alabama's Education Trust Fund for the 2026 fiscal year, primarily supporting education and workforce programs. The bill allocates funds to school systems for fleet renewal ($66.5M), school safety initiatives ($50M), college and career readiness programs, specialized schools (like cyber and healthcare academies), public libraries, and universities for facility maintenance and research. Additional funding includes $3 million for Alzheimer's prevention research through Hudson Alpha and $100 million from the CHOOSE Act Fund to the Department of Revenue. These funds directly affect Alabama's public schools, colleges, libraries, and healthcare facilities by addressing infrastructure, safety, and educational program needs.
HB 187, known as Alyssa's Law, requires all Alabama public K-12 schools to provide designated staff (including teachers, administrators, and support personnel who interact with students daily) with mobile emergency response systems by October 1, 2030. These systems must instantly connect to emergency services and pinpoint the user's location indoors (room/floor level) and on school grounds. The bill mandates school systems to train staff on the systems, requires the State Superintendent to approve vendors, and allows using existing school safety funds (like the School Security and Fire Safety Fund) for purchases. The law does not require staff to use personal devices, though schools may offer that option with written consent.
