State Rep. Rex Reynolds (R-Huntsville) has introduced HB202, the Back the Blue Legal Protection Act to expand legal protections for law enforcement officers facing civil lawsuits and criminal prosecution related to their official duties.
The legislation would replace Alabama’s existing peace office officer immunity law with broader civil liability protections, shielding officers from lawsuits unless they were acting “recklessly without law enforcement justification” or violating a person’s “clearly established rights.”
Additionally, the bill would grant immunity from criminal prosecution for police officers’ on-the-job use of force, given their actions do not violate constitutional protections against excessive force.
“It is critical that our law enforcement is protected from tort liability for conduct in performance of their sworn duties to protect our communities,” Reynolds, a former police chief, said. “And further, a law enforcement officer should be immune from prosecution for use of force in official conduct to which he is sworn to do, and we clearly outline unless his or her conduct violates the person’s constitutional rights.”
The bill is part of a broader legislative package that Governor Kay Ivey introduced in her State of the State address focused on public safety and law enforcement protections.
“Bolstering public safety is my number one priority this session, and I am proud to partner with Speaker Ledbetter and a bipartisan group of legislators in putting forward a package of bills that will back the blue and combat inner city gun violence,” Ivey said during her State of the State address.
The Back the Blue Legal Protection Act has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee where it awaits an initial committee vote. Today is the third day of the 2025 legislative session.
Grace Heim is a state and political reporter for Yellowhammer News. You can follow her on X @graceeheim or email her at [email protected].
