House extends workers' compensation to teachers, bus drivers and other public‑school employees

The Alabama House on April 8 approved Senate Bill 1, a measure that provides workers' compensation benefits to teachers, bus drivers, certain community college employees and other full‑time public education personnel.

Senator Gavan and House supporters framed the bill as filling a longstanding coverage gap for public education workers who the sponsor and colleagues said had faced work‑related injuries without the protections available to private employees and many other public employees. Members recounted cases — bus mechanics crushed in shop accidents, teachers who injured themselves while restraining or falling over students — that proponents said illustrated the bill’s need.

The measure that reached the floor incorporated a committee substitute and several clarifying amendments. Committee work added language to make clear when the board of adjustment process remains available for noncovered, part‑time or outside contractors, and to adopt existing workers' compensation procedural language where helpful. The substitute also added an appeals process provision: the Alabama State Bar will maintain a roster of attorneys experienced in workers' compensation law and, on appeal requests, will provide a panel from which a party may select counsel for appeals panels (as described in committee explanation).

House debate noted the bill’s limits: coverage is for full‑time employees; part‑time employees, guests or others without full‑time status would continue to use the existing board of adjustment route. Lawmakers said the bill was not intended to change the underlying workers' compensation framework but to provide parity for educators and other covered school workers.

Vote and process: Committee amendments and a substitute were adopted in committee; the House recorded adoption of the committee report and substitute and then gave final passage. Recorded votes posted during the session show broad support — the committee BR was adopted (recorded earlier as 109–0) and final passage was recorded 102–0.

Why it matters: Supporters described the bill as addressing "a human bill" to protect frontline school employees who perform hands‑on work in classrooms, school facilities and transportation. Backers said the bill reduces the risk of long administrative delays for injured employees and replaces inconsistent local procedures with a statutory workers' compensation option for eligible employees.

What’s next: The measure proceeds for the next legislative step; implementing rules and guidance will be required for school systems and local administrators. Lawmakers said they may return later to clarify narrow technical points discovered during floor debate.