This bill expands expungement eligibility in Alabama by allowing individuals with pardoned, vacated, or overturned convictions to petition for record sealing. It also clarifies hearing procedures for expungement petitions and adds specific circumstances under which misdemeanor charges can be expunged, including successful completion of drug court, mental health court, or other diversion programs. The legislation maintains restrictions on expunging violent offenses, sex offenses, and crimes involving moral turpitude while permitting expungement for certain non-violent misdemeanors after a three-year waiting period. Additionally, the bill specifies that expunged records remain accessible to criminal justice agencies for investigation purposes and to certain entities like utilities and child protection services.
HB 367 establishes a $30 booking fee for defendants convicted or who plead guilty in Randolph County circuit or district court cases. This fee is collected alongside other court costs and cannot be waived unless all other case-related fees are waived. The revenue from this fee must be sent monthly to the Randolph County Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Fund for use in local law enforcement. The bill takes effect on October 1, 2026.
SB 263 establishes a new crime for abandoning animals in Alabama, defined as intentionally leaving an animal without care (risking injury, starvation, or death). It creates misdemeanor penalties for first offenses (Class A), escalating to felony charges (Class D) for repeat violations, animal injury/death, or abandoning five or more animals. Law enforcement can seize abandoned animals or order owners to provide care, with courts required to hold a hearing within 20 days to determine if the owner can safely regain custody. If the owner is unfit, the court may order euthanasia, transfer to a shelter, require payment for care costs, or impose a five-year ban on owning animals. The bill excludes lawful hunting, farming practices, veterinary care, and pest control from its provisions.
SB 323 creates a formal right of appeal for both criminal defendants with mental illness and the Alabama Department of Mental Health regarding court orders committing defendants to mental health facilities or modifying conditional release terms. The bill amends Alabama code to grant the Court of Criminal Appeals exclusive jurisdiction to hear these appeals, replacing the previous lack of appellate review. It directly affects defendants found not guilty by reason of insanity or mental illness who are committed to state mental health facilities, as well as the Department of Mental Health. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, and makes minor technical updates to existing legal language.
HB 494 requires government agents (like law enforcement) to obtain a warrant before entering private land or seizing personal property (such as vehicles, animals, or tools) on that land, except in specific situations. These exceptions include owner consent, immediate threats (exigent circumstances), imminent unlawful wildlife destruction, or needing to euthanize a distressed animal. Agents entering private property must notify owners immediately, activate body cameras, and provide evidence for wildlife-related entries. Evidence gathered in violation of this law cannot be used in court, and invalid arrests may result from such violations. The bill applies to all private landowners in Alabama and takes effect October 1, 2026.
HB 505 creates a new right for both criminal defendants with mental illness and Alabama's Department of Mental Health to appeal court orders that commit defendants to mental health custody or modify their conditional release terms. The bill specifically allows appeals of these orders to the Court of Criminal Appeals, which previously lacked jurisdiction for such cases. This change applies to existing procedures for defendants found to pose a "real and present threat of substantial harm" due to mental illness, as determined under current law. The bill does not alter the standards for commitment or release but adds a formal appellate process for these specific court decisions.
HB 405 creates a new offense called "bail jumping in the third degree" for individuals released from custody (with or without bail) who violate court-ordered electronic monitoring conditions. This bill directly affects people under electronic monitoring as a release condition, making such violations a Class C misdemeanor punishable by law. Key provisions include defining the offense, setting penalties, and allowing a defense for unintentional violations due to circumstances beyond the defendant's control (though the defendant must prove this). The law would take effect on October 1, 2026, if passed.
HB 481 (Alabama) requires courts to prioritize victim restitution payments over all other fines, court costs, and fees in criminal cases. Specifically, it amends Alabama Code sections 15-18-65(b) and 15-18-70(b) to mandate that restitution to crime victims must be paid first, before any other financial obligations from the conviction. This directly affects criminal defendants (who must pay restitution before other debts), crime victims (who receive payments sooner), and court systems (which must enforce this payment order). The bill does not change how restitution amounts are calculated but ensures victims are compensated ahead of other financial obligations tied to the case.
SB 161 expands access to post-conviction DNA testing in Alabama by allowing individuals convicted of **any offense** (not just capital cases) who are serving prison time to request testing. It removes all existing time limits for filing such requests, which previously required motions within 12 months of a 2009 law or under specific court rules. To qualify, applicants must still prove the evidence exists, wasn’t previously tested, and could demonstrate factual innocence if results are exculpatory. The bill does not change the core requirements for requesting testing but makes the process available to a broader group of incarcerated individuals.
HB 120 extends the deadline for survivors of child sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits in Alabama. It allows claims to be filed up to 20 years after the survivor turns 19 or two years after the perpetrator's criminal conviction (whichever is later), and revives certain time-barred claims by January 1, 2029. The bill removes legal barriers like notice-of-claim requirements, damage caps, and immunity protections for claims against perpetrators or negligent organizations (e.g., schools or care facilities) that failed to prevent abuse. It applies to abuse occurring on or after October 1, 2026, and tolls the statute during criminal investigations and appeals. The bill is titled the "Hidden Predators Act" and aims to provide survivors greater access to civil justice.
