Alabama’s new ethics law is putting an end to a student giving a gift to a teacher that’s worth more than a few dollars.
The Alabama Ethics Commission issued advice last week on what’s permissible for presents teachers can receive as students and their parents shop for holiday gifts for educators. The commission said a student could give a coffee mug, homemade cookies, and other presents of nominal value, but a $25 gift card, a ham, or a turkey would be too much.
Commission attorney Hugh Evans says the commission’s phones have been ringing off the hook with questions because this is the first Christmas season since the law took effect.
The law only allows gifts of “de minimis” value, but it doesn’t set a dollar amount.
