The bill, known as the Abram Colin Act, aims to enhance the training of fire-protection personnel, certified volunteer firefighters, and emergency medical services personnel in Alabama to better interact with individuals with sensory needs or invisible disabilities. Starting January 1, 2025, newly certified fire-protection personnel must complete one hour of training within six months of certification, and all fire-protection personnel and certified volunteer firefighters must complete one hour of training every other year. The Alabama Firefighters' Personnel Standards and Education Commission is tasked with collaborating with a nonprofit entity to provide this training without compensation. The training can be delivered in person or online and must be reviewed and updated annually to reflect current trends and changes related to individuals with sensory needs or invisible disabilities. However, the training requirements are contingent upon the nonprofit entity providing the training free of charge, and the Alabama State Forestry Commission employees are exempt from these requirements.

Similarly, the Alabama Department of Public Health will require each emergency medical services personnel to complete one hour of annual training on interacting with individuals with sensory needs or invisible disabilities, starting January 1, 2025. This training will also be administered in collaboration with a nonprofit entity that offers the training without compensation, and it must be reviewed and updated annually. The training requirements will only apply if the nonprofit entity provides the training for free. The bill ensures that the training requirements do not affect any existing immunities for fire-protection personnel, certified volunteer firefighters, or emergency medical services personnel under state law. The act is set to become effective on January 1, 2025, and the Senate passed the bill on April 9, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 36-32-1
Engrossed: 36-32-1
Enrolled: 36-32-1