Teachers’ injury compensation bill goes to Ivey
Alabama educators will soon have a dedicated compensation program for job-related injuries, after lawmakers gave final approval to Senate Bill 1, sponsored by Sen. Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville.
The bill creates a Public Education Employee Injury Compensation Board to oversee claims and manage a fund for injured K-12 and community college employees, including teachers, bus drivers, and support staff.
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Currently, school employees injured on the job must pay medical and related expenses out of pocket and seek reimbursement through the state Board of Adjustment, a process that can take weeks or months. Supporters say the new system will provide faster, more reliable assistance.
The bill now heads to Gov. Kay Ivey for her signature.
“This is an important step forward for our teachers,” Givhan said. “I look forward to hopefully seeing the governor sign this really soon.”
Education advocates have long pushed for a dedicated system, arguing that teachers deserve the same on-the-job protections as other public workers.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Mary Sell and originally published by Alabama Daily News.
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