HB523 Summary

• Authorizes the Alabama Fire College to certify peer support members, in addition to the existing authority of the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency.

• Defines certified peer support members as emergency responders or chaplains who have completed critical incident stress management training and are designated by agency heads to provide emotional and moral support.

• Establishes that communications between emergency responders and certified peer support members during peer support events are privileged and protected from compelled testimony.

• Creates exceptions to privilege when the peer support member was a witness or party to the incident, when communication reveals an intended or actual crime, or when court determines non-privilege under Alabama Rules of Evidence Rule 503(d).

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