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HB 251 Alabama House · 2025 Regular Session

Sex offenders, restrictions for certain sex offenders further provided

HB 251 allows parole or probation officers to impose new restrictions on adult sex offenders convicted of offenses involving a child. These offenders may be prohibited from using a post office box or possessing any electronic media that provides Internet access. Knowingly violating such a restriction would constitute an offense. The bill also authorizes the Director of the Board of Pardons and Paroles to adopt rules necessary to implement and enforce these provisions.
Issues: ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds restrictions on sex offenders' rights (no PO boxes/internet access), increasing control over offenders rather than advancing reform or reducing recidivism.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts internet access for sex offenders by prohibiting electronic media with internet access, directly limiting technology use as a condition of parole/probation.85% confidence
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 11, 2025 Last action Apr 17, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 5 edits · Mar 4, 2025
MODERATE
This bill was amended to clarify restrictions on sex offenders regarding internet access and electronic media, expand treatment requirements, and update administrative rule-making authority. The changes make the language more precise about when restrictions apply and add specific details about polygraph examination requirements and cost responsibilities.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to include additional community-based punishment options and clarified that restrictions apply to offenders convicted of sex offenses involving children, with specific age thresholds maintained.
ELIGIBILITY

Restrictions on post office box and electronic media use now apply to adult sex offenders convicted of sex offenses involving children, with clearer language about victim age requirements.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific requirements that polygraph examinations must be conducted by licensed Alabama Polygraph Examiners with advanced Post Conviction Sex Offender Testing certification.

Added provisions requiring offenders to pay for treatment and polygraph costs unless they are indigent, with amounts determined based on financial means.

Added requirement that offenders cannot change treatment providers without prior approval from the court or Board of Pardons and Paroles.

ENFORCEMENT

Changed rule-making authority from 'Executive Director of the Board of Pardons and Paroles' to 'Director of the Board of Pardons and Paroles' for implementing Section 15-20A-20.01.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
14
Key actions
7
Committee
4
Amendments
1
Apr 16, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported Out of Committee Second House
upper
Mar 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
Pending Committee Action in Second House (Judiciary)
upper
Mar 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
Motion to Add Cosponsor - Adopted Roll Call 345
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 344
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 343
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Introduced
Robertson 1st Amendment Offered
lower
Feb 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
lower
Feb 11, 2025
Lower · Passed
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Judiciary)
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.