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HB469 INTRODUCED
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HB469
ZQ1I3KR-1
By Representative Hollis
RFD: Public Safety and Homeland Security
First Read: 17-Feb-26
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ZQ1I3KR-1 02/06/2026 EGC (L)EGC 2026-646
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First Read: 17-Feb-26
SYNOPSIS:
This bill would create the Municipal
Firefighters' Bill of Rights.
This bill would provide minimum standards for
investigations of improper conduct or disciplinary
actions that may result in termination, demotion, or
other disciplinary action that could result in loss of
pay or status.
This bill would provide that a firefighter is
not required to make disclosures about personal assets
or finances in relation to a promotion or job
assignment.
This bill would require a firefighter to be
notified of a pending personnel action.
This bill would provide that a firefighter may
engage in political activities when off duty or
otherwise not acting in his or her official capacity.
This bill would also prohibit penalizing a
firefighter for exercising his or her rights.
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
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Relating to municipal fire departments; to create the
Municipal Firefighters' Bill of Rights; to provide minimum
standards for investigations of improper conduct or
disciplinary actions; to provide that a firefighter shall not
be required to make certain disclosures for the purpose of
promotion or job assignment; to require notification of
pending personnel action; to provide a firefighter may engage
in political activity when not on duty; and to provide that a
firefighter shall not be penalized for exercising his or her
rights.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. (a) The Municipal Firefighters' Bill of
Rights is created.
(b) A municipality may adopt a local ordinance
establishing any or all of the rights and procedures
prescribed under this act as a guide for negotiating personnel
issues with municipal firefighters.
Section 2. For the purposes of this act, the following
terms have the following meanings:
(1) FIREFIGHTER. A public servant vested by law with
the primary duty of fighting fires and providing fire
protection services to a municipality.
(2) FORMAL PROCEEDING. A proceeding heard before any
officer, committee, or other body of municipal government with
the authority to take disciplinary action against a
firefighter.
(3) OFFICIAL DEPARTMENTAL CHARGES. A written document
from the fire chief or other lawful authority notifying the
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from the fire chief or other lawful authority notifying the
accused firefighter that charges of misconduct have been made
against him or her and setting forth the specifics of the
alleged misconduct.
Section 3. When a firefighter is under investigation
for alleged improper conduct with a possible result of
termination, demotion, or other disciplinary action causing
loss of pay or status, the following minimum standards may
apply to the investigation:
(1) Adverse inference shall not be drawn and no
punitive action shall be taken from a refusal of the
firefighter being investigated to participate in the
investigation or to be interrogated other than when the
firefighter is on duty or is otherwise fully compensated for
the time spent in accordance with municipal and departmental
overtime policy, state law, and federal law.
(2) The interrogation of a firefighter shall take place
at any of the following locations:
a. The office of those conducting the investigation.
b. The place where the firefighter reports for duty.
c. Another reasonable place as the investigator may
determine.
(3) The firefighter being investigated shall be
informed at the commencement of his or her interrogation of
all of the following information:
a. The nature of the investigation.
b. The identity and authority of the individual or
individuals conducting the investigation.
c. The identity of all individuals present during the
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c. The identity of all individuals present during the
interrogation.
(4) During the interrogation of a firefighter,
questions shall be posed by or through only one interrogator
at a time.
(5) The interrogation of a firefighter in connection
with an investigation shall be for a reasonable period of time
and shall allow for reasonable periods for the rest and
personal necessities of the firefighter.
(6) No threat, harassment, promise, or reward shall be
made to a firefighter in connection with an investigation in
order to induce the answering of any questions that the
firefighter has a legal right to refrain from answering,
however immunity from prosecution may be offered to induce a
response.
(7)a. An interrogation of a firefighter in connection
with an investigation against him or her shall be recorded in
full.
b. A firefighter may make his or her own independent
recording of the interrogation and may have one witness of his
or her choosing present who shall be either of the following:
1. An attorney.
2. A member of the fire department who is not related
in any way to the matter under investigation.
(8) A formal proceeding with the authority to
administer disciplinary action against a firefighter shall not
be held unless official departmental charges are brought
against the firefighter.
(9) Official departmental charges shall contain all of
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(9) Official departmental charges shall contain all of
the following information:
a. Specific conduct that is alleged to be improper.
b. Date and time of the alleged misconduct.
c. Witnesses whose information provided the basis for
the charges.
d. Specific rules, regulations, orders, or laws alleged
to have been violated.
(10)a. A firefighter under official departmental
charges is entitled to a predisciplinary hearing before the
fire chief, if disciplinary action is being considered.
b. The firefighter may select one individual of his or
her choosing to be present at the predisciplinary hearing.
(11) A formal proceeding under which a firefighter may
be penalized shall not be brought except upon charges signed
by the individual making those charges.
Section 4. Except under exigent circumstances, a
firefighter shall be notified of a pending personnel action by
written official departmental charges a reasonable time before
any action is taken when a personnel action may result in the
loss of pay, benefits, or status.
Section 5. A firefighter may not be required to
disclose any of the following information as it relates to the
firefighter or a member of the firefighter's household for the
purpose of promotion or assignment:
(1) An item of his or her property.
(2) Income.
(3) Assets.
(4) Debts.
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(4) Debts.
(5) Expenditures.
Section 6. Except when on duty or acting in his or her
official capacity, a municipal firefighter may not be
prohibited from engaging in political activity or denied the
right to refrain from engaging in political activity.
Section 7. (a) A firefighter may not be penalized or
threatened with a penalty for exercising his or her rights
under this act.
(b) This act is not an exclusive legal remedy for a
firefighter with respect to any rights the firefighter has
under this act.
Section 8. This act shall become effective on October
1, 2026.
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