SB361 Summary

• Amends Section 41-1-5 of the Alabama Code to prohibit city and county school boards of education from hiring practices involving relatives of executive officers, board members, or supervisors.

• Defines "relative" as spouse, dependent, adult child or their spouse, parent, spouse's parent, or sibling or their spouse.

• Prohibits executive officers from recommending relatives for employment and requires impartial third parties to conduct interviews and make hiring recommendations when a relative of school officials applies for an advertised position.

• Bars relatives from being immediate supervisors of school employees and restricts relatives from participating in hiring, supervision, or performance evaluation of school employees.

• Allows other job applicants to bring declaratory judgment actions in circuit court within 21 days if a relative is hired in violation of the act, with courts authorized to void the hiring and declare the relative ineligible for that position.

• Establishes penalties of up to $500 fine or one year imprisonment for violations, with willful violations subject to disciplinary action up to termination.