Criminal law; crime scene photos of human remains, prohibitions on transmission or release, provided; penalties for violations, provided

HB 503 prohibits sharing or transmitting photos of deceased individuals taken during coroner or law enforcement investigations, including crime scenes. It applies to anyone who discloses such images for non-official purposes, covering photos taken by personal devices or agency equipment, regardless of whether an investigation is active. Violating this rule is a Class B misdemeanor, while sharing images for payment or gain is a stricter Class A misdemeanor. The bill, currently pending in the Alabama House Judiciary Committee, would take effect on October 1, 2026, if passed.