SB 47 Alabama Senate · 2025 Regular Session

First responders; immunize certain community emergency responders from civil liability for rendering aid

SB 47 protects community emergency response team members who complete FEMA-recognized training from civil lawsuits when providing first aid during emergencies. It expands Alabama's existing liability shield - currently covering doctors, police, and firefighters - to specifically include these trained community responders. The bill requires responders to have finished a FEMA-approved training program to qualify for this protection. This change directly affects local volunteers participating in recognized emergency response programs across Alabama. The law takes effect on October 1, 2025.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Signed into Law

Apr 2025

Introduced Feb 4, 2025 Signed Apr 2, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Enrolled · 4 edits · Apr 2, 2025

MODERATE

This bill was finalized and enrolled for passage, with minor formatting corrections and one substantive addition. The main change adds a new subsection (b) that provides liability protection for helicopter crew members performing military assistance to safety and traffic programs, protecting them from claims related to helicopter downwash or passengers disembarking. The bill also clarifies eligibility criteria for community emergency response team members and extends immunity periods for certain emergency responders.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include helicopter crew members performing military assistance to safety and traffic programs, who were not explicitly covered in the original draft.

SCOPE

Added new subsection (b) providing civil liability protection for helicopter crew members performing military assistance to safety and traffic programs, exempting them from liability for property damages caused by helicopter downwash or individuals disembarking.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified eligibility criteria for community emergency response team members to clarify that training must be recognized by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, with additional clarification about which agencies can certify teams.

TIMELINE

Added specific effective date of October 1, 2025, and included a 90-day immunity period for certain emergency responders after declaration of an emergency.

TECHNICAL

Corrected formatting errors including duplicate text, page headers, and line numbering inconsistencies between the introduced and enrolled versions.

Floor votes

How they voted

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

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 19, 2025

Lower · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 477

lower

Mar 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee Second House

lower

Feb 25, 2025

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (Judiciary)

lower

Feb 25, 2025

Upper · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 188

upper

Feb 19, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

upper

Feb 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Judiciary)

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors