Alabama § 31-13-17 - Discriminatory Employment Practices.
Full text of Alabama Code of Alabama § 31-13-17 — Discriminatory Employment Practices., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 31-13-17. Discriminatory Employment Practices.
(a) It shall be a discriminatory practice for a business entity or employer to fail to hire a job applicant who is a United States citizen or an alien who is authorized to work in the United States as defined in 8 U.S.C. § 1324a(h)(3) or discharge an employee working in Alabama who is a United States citizen or an alien who is authorized to work in the United States as defined in 8 U.S.C. § 1324a(h)(3) while retaining or hiring an employee who the business entity or employer knows, or reasonably should have known, is an unauthorized alien.
(b) A violation of subsection (a) may be the basis of a civil action in the state courts of this state. Any recovery under this subsection shall be limited to compensatory relief and shall not include any civil or criminal sanctions against the employer.
(c) The losing party in any civil action shall pay the court costs and reasonable attorneys fees for the prevailing party; however, the losing party shall only pay the attorneys fees of the prevailing party up to the amount paid by the losing party for his or her own attorneys fees.
(d) The amount of the attorneys fees spent by each party shall be reported to the court before the verdict is rendered.
(e) In proceedings of the court, the determination of whether an employee is an unauthorized alien shall be made by the federal government, pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1373(c). The court shall consider only the federal government’s determination when deciding whether an employee is an unauthorized alien. The court may take judicial notice of any verification of an individual’s immigration status previously provided by the federal government and may request the federal government to provide further automated or testimonial verification.
Source: official Alabama text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Alabama § 31-13-17
What does Code of Alabama § 31-13-17 cover?
Section 31-13-17 ("Discriminatory Employment Practices.") is part of the Code of Alabama, the codified statutory law of Alabama. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Alabama § 31-13-17?
A common citation format is "Code of Alabama § 31-13-17" (Alabama). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Alabama law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Alabama official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Alabama attorney.
How does Alabama § 31-13-17 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Alabama can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Alabama.