AL HB421

Creates new crime of "prohibited contact between a school employee and student" under Code of Alabama Section 13A-6-84, punishable as Class A misdemeanor or Class C felony for second or subsequent conviction.

Prohibits school employees from communicating with students under age 19 or students enrolled under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act via telephone, mail, social media, or electronic communication with intent to arouse or gratify sexual desire.

Prohibits school employees from intentionally surveiling sexual or genital parts of students under age 19 or IDEA-enrolled students with or without electronic device in manner invading reasonable expectation of privacy.

Establishes that students under age 19 or IDEA-enrolled students cannot initiate unsolicited sexual communications with school employees, with same intent and surveillance prohibitions applied in reverse.

Specifies consent is not a defense to prosecution and establishes effective date as first day of third month following passage and gubernatorial approval.