The proposed bill adds Section 11-98-4.3 to the Code of Alabama 1975, which empowers the 911 Board to implement a system for measuring the emergency response performance of local communication districts. This includes establishing a framework based on best practices from recognized national associations to assess the readiness of public safety services in handling 911 calls, including voice, text, photos, and videos. The 911 Board is tasked with collecting various data points, such as call volume, response times, and the number of answered versus unanswered calls, to evaluate the effectiveness of these districts.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the 911 Board conduct performance audits of local communication districts upon request from the Attorney General, particularly in response to complaints regarding their performance. The audits will involve interviews, on-site inspections, and real-time monitoring of operations. Following the audit, a formal report detailing the district's readiness and any operational deficiencies must be submitted to the Attorney General and made public. If deficiencies are identified, the report will include a remediation plan outlining necessary improvements, such as training, hiring, technology upgrades, and protocol amendments. The bill also stipulates that the 911 Board will adopt rules to implement this system and will take effect on October 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 11-98-4
Engrossed: 11-98-4