HB 202 Alabama House · 2025 Regular Session

Law enforcement officers; civil and criminal immunity from liability, further provided

HB 202 modifies the appeal process for specific court decisions in cases involving law enforcement officers. It allows for an immediate appeal to the Alabama Supreme Court if a lower court makes a ruling regarding an officer's immunity from civil or criminal liability. This includes decisions to grant or deny motions to dismiss or for summary judgment based on immunity, as well as certain discovery rulings. The bill ensures these immunity-related issues can be reviewed by the state's highest court before the full trial concludes.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Feb 5, 2025 Signed May 15, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Judiciary 1st Substitute Engrossed · 5 edits · May 14, 2025
MODERATE
The bill was converted from a substitute version to an engrossed version, finalizing its text for passage. Substantively, the bill establishes immunity for law enforcement officers from civil and criminal liability when acting within their discretionary authority, unless they act recklessly or violate clearly established rights. It adds specific definitions for 'tactical medic' and 'written policy' to clarify the scope of protection and liability standards.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on law enforcement immunity, but the definitions were expanded to explicitly include tactical medics and clarify the standard for 'conduct performed within discretionary authority'.
DEFINITION

Added a specific definition for 'Tactical Medic' to include firefighter paramedics and EMTs operating with tactical units during high-risk incidents.

Added a specific definition for 'Written Policy' to cover rules, regulations, instructions, or directives issued by a law enforcement agency.

Refined the definition of 'Conduct Performed Within Discretionary Authority' to use clearer language regarding plausible power to utilize and the outer perimeter of governmental discretion.

Updated the definition of 'Law Enforcement Officer' to explicitly include public safety dispatchers and individuals designated for immunity under prior law.

Clarified the definition of 'Recklessly Without Law Enforcement Justification' to include harm caused by failing to comply with written policies or through an unreasonable interpretation of such policies.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
40
Key actions
13
Committee
4
Amendments
13
May 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reynolds Concur In and Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1246
lower
May 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Stadthagen Previous Question - Adopted Roll Call 1245
lower
May 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1085
upper
May 14, 2025
Introduced
Smitherman 1st Amendment Offered
upper
May 14, 2025
Introduced
Singleton 2nd Amendment Offered
upper
May 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Singleton motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1081
upper
May 14, 2025
Introduced
Singleton 1st Amendment Offered
upper
May 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Bell motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1080
upper
May 14, 2025
Introduced
Bell 1st Substitute Offered
upper
May 14, 2025
Introduced
Judiciary 3rd Amendment Offered (Judiciary)
upper
May 14, 2025
Introduced
Judiciary 2nd Amendment Offered (Judiciary)
upper
May 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Bell motion to Table - Adopted Voice Vote
upper
May 14, 2025
Introduced
Judiciary 1st Amendment Offered (Judiciary)
upper
Apr 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported Out of Committee Second House
upper
Apr 30, 2025
Introduced
Judiciary 3rd Amendment (Judiciary)
upper
Apr 30, 2025
Introduced
Judiciary 2nd Amendment (Judiciary)
upper
Apr 30, 2025
Introduced
Judiciary 1st Amendment (Judiciary)
upper
Mar 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
Pending Committee Action in Second House (Judiciary)
upper
Mar 6, 2025
Lower · Passed
Motion to Add Cosponsor - Adopted Roll Call 365
lower
Mar 6, 2025
Lower · Passed
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 364
lower
Mar 6, 2025
Lower · Passed
Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 363
lower
Mar 6, 2025
Introduced
Judiciary Engrossed Substitute Offered (Judiciary)
lower
Feb 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported Out of Committee House of Origin (Judiciary)
lower
Feb 26, 2025
Introduced
Judiciary 2nd Amendment (Judiciary)
lower
Feb 26, 2025
Introduced
Judiciary 1st Amendment (Judiciary)
lower
Feb 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Judiciary)
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Rex Reynolds
Rex Reynolds
RRepublican
AL
21