HB438 Summary

• Requires counties and municipalities to compensate county and municipal law enforcement officers at their normal rate of compensation throughout their entire recovery period when injured on duty, mirroring existing requirements for state police officers.

• Applies only to full-time law enforcement officers certified by the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission with no limited authority within their jurisdiction.

• Compensation requirement applies when injuries result from officers engaging in conflict, pursuit, or observation of suspected lawbreakers, or defending persons or property in the line of duty, but excludes injuries resulting from willful misconduct.

• Insurance or self-insurance benefits count toward the officer's normal rate of compensation; if insufficient, the county or municipality must pay additional compensation to reach the officer's normal rate.

• Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.