Sign Up
HB 254 Alabama House · 2025 Regular Session

St. Clair County; mental health officer, powers and duties further provided

HB 254 amends St. Clair County's mental health laws to clarify the role and authority of the county mental health officer. It requires law enforcement to contact this officer when encountering someone with a mental illness posing an immediate threat to self or others, and mandates the officer to assess the situation and coordinate with mental health facilities. The bill establishes procedures for temporary custody and facility commitment when a mental health officer determines a person needs specialized care, including a 24-hour medical evaluation at the facility. These changes directly affect residents in mental health crises, law enforcement officers, and local mental health facilities in St. Clair County.
Issues: ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRedirects mental health crisis responses from law enforcement to mental health officers, reducing unnecessary criminalization and aligning with reform goals of de-escalation and appropriate care.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates law enforcement coordination with mental health officers during crises, establishes assessment procedures, and improves access to mental health services per bill language.95% confidence
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House Passage
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
Apr 2025
Introduced Feb 11, 2025 Signed Apr 11, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Enrolled · 5 edits · Apr 11, 2025
MODERATE
This bill was finalized and enrolled after being introduced, with substantive changes to the St. Clair County Mental Health Advisory Board's structure and authority. The enrolled version clarifies the board's composition, establishes clearer employment relationships for mental health staff, and adds procedures for involuntary commitment of individuals posing threats to themselves or others.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on St. Clair County mental health services, but the enrolled version adds specific procedures for law enforcement to handle individuals with mental illness who pose a threat.
REQUIREMENT

Added specific composition requirements for the Mental Health Advisory Board, including two at-large members appointed by the county commission.

Changed employment relationship for mental health staff from sheriff employees to county employees with salary-setting authority given to the advisory board.

Added authority for advisory board to set performance standards and take personnel actions including termination of mental health officer duties.

ENFORCEMENT

Added procedures for law enforcement to take individuals into custody and deliver them directly to mental health facilities when they pose a threat to themselves or others.

FISCAL

Established fee structure for probate office with ability for advisory board to adjust fees within specified limits.

Floor votes

How they voted

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

Actions timeline

Total actions
17
Key actions
6
Committee
4
Apr 1, 2025
Upper · Passed
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 441
upper
Mar 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported Out of Committee Second House
upper
Mar 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
Pending Committee Action in Second House (Local Legislation )
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 255
lower
Feb 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
lower
Feb 11, 2025
Lower · Passed
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Local Legislation)
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.