Alabama has enacted the Maryann Leonard Educators’ On-the-Job Injury Act, establishing the Public Education Injury Compensation Program. The Act extends workers’ compensation benefits to full-time public education employees for the first time. Although the Act is now in effect, the Program will begin accepting claims only upon an implementation date declared by the Public Education Employee Injury Compensation Board (the Board)—which must be no later than October 1, 2026.
Below is a summary of the Act’s key provisions.
1. What the Act Does and Implementation Timing
The Act creates a new compensation structure for covered on-the-job injuries sustained by public education employees. Compensation will be paid from the Public Education Employee Injury Compensation Trust Fund, in accordance with the statutes and methods set forth in the Alabama Workers’ Compensation Act. The Trust Fund received an initial $15.6 million from the education budget passed during the 2025 legislative session.
The Act is currently in effect; however, the Program will begin accepting claims only on an implementation date declared and published by the Public Education Employee Injury Compensation Board, in consultation with the Board of Adjustment. The implementation date must be no later than October 1, 2026.
2. Covered Employers and Employees
The Act extends workers’ compensation benefits to full-time public K–12 and post-secondary education employees. Covered employers include:
All public city...
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