Thanks to AEA’s advocacy, the Maryann Leonard Educators’ On-the-Job Injury Act has revised Alabama Code Section 16-1-18.1 to better protect K-14 public education employees injured on the job.

Notice of Injury: 

• Previously, an educator injured on the job had only 24 hours to report. Now, an educator has five (5) working days to report an on-the-job injury. This change is effective immediately. 

Establishment of New Claims: 

• A new board, the Public Education Employee Injury Compensation Board, will begin accepting claims no later than October 1, 2026. AEA hosted the first meeting of the new board as it began its important work.

• The new board will replace the need to go through the Alabama Board of Adjustment (BOA).

Who Benefits From the New System? 

• Full-time public educators will receive benefits comparable to private-sector workers’ compensation.

• There will be no more BOA requirement once the new board is active.

• Part-time employees and those with existing claims filed with the BOA will continue under the BOA.

Fairer Hearings and Appeals

• Educators using the new system will appear before hearing officers with workers’ compensation experience and have the right to appeal decisions to the Montgomery County Circuit Court.