Criminal Justice

in committee · Alabama · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 161: Criminal procedure; post-conviction DNA testing procedures of inmates, further provided

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands DNA testing access for all inmates, removes time limits, and enables factual innocence claims - key criminal justice reform measure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

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passed · Alabama · Senate Feb 25, 2026

SB 70: Crimes and offenses; sex offenses involving a child; crime of transmitting obscene material to a child by computer, further provided for

SB 70 expands Alabama's law against transmitting obscene material to children by making it illegal to send such material to someone the sender *believes* is a child, not just to actual minors. The bill specifically targets online content depicting nudity, sexual conduct, or extreme sexual acts, whether real or simulated. It maintains the offense as a Class B felony, requiring adult trials with no option for record sealing or expungement. This change directly affects individuals who send inappropriate material online while mistakenly believing the recipient is underage, broadening the scope of the existing law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by lowering threshold to 'believes child' and maintains strict felony penalties without record sealing, increasing criminal liability.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts using technology (computer transmission) to send obscene material to minors, imposing criminal penalties for specific online content distribution.95% confidence

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in committee · Alabama · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SB 48: Law enforcement; four-point restraint, use prohibited

SB 48 prohibits Alabama law enforcement officers from using a "hog-tie" restraint (tying a person's hands and feet behind their back while face-down) or any face-down position that restricts oxygen or blood flow to the head or neck. It requires all law enforcement agencies to update their policies to ban these techniques and imposes Class A misdemeanor penalties for violations. The bill directly affects all Alabama police officers, departments, and individuals under their custody. It will take effect on October 1, 2026, if passed.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits dangerous restraints (hog-tie) that restrict oxygen/blood flow, mandates policy updates for accountability, and protects civil rights during arrests - directly advancing law enforcement reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · Alabama · House Jan 13, 2026

HB 120: Child sexual abuse; statute of limitations extended and further provided for, certain time-barred civil claims revived

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill extends statute of limitations for child sexual abuse civil claims, removes barriers to hold perpetrators accountable. Supports criminal justice reform by advancing victim access to justice.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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signed · Alabama · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 114: Criminal procedure; out-of-state warrants, arrest authorized for crime punishable by more than one year, arrest by out-of-state officers authorized

SB 114 expands Alabama's warrantless arrest authority to include any felony charge from another state (previously limited to death or life imprisonment cases), affecting individuals charged with serious crimes in other states. It also allows out-of-state law enforcement officers to arrest suspects during "fresh pursuit" after fleeing across state lines while chasing someone suspected of committing a felony in their home state. The bill requires arrested individuals to be promptly presented to a judge for a hearing to verify the arrest's legality, with outcomes including detention for extradition or release if unlawful.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands warrantless arrests for out-of-state felonies and fresh pursuit arrests, increasing enforcement powers while reducing defendant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges Law Enforcement

passed · Alabama · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 106: Crimes and offenses; to further provide for the crime of doxing; to further provide for penalties

This bill updates Alabama's doxing law by making it a crime to intentionally share someone's personal information (like home addresses or photos of their children) online with the intent that others use it to harass or harm them, even if no actual harm occurs. It increases penalties for repeat offenses and specifically targets doxing directed at law enforcement officers, firefighters, or public servants, with higher penalties when these individuals are harmed or impeded in their duties. The law explicitly excludes protected political speech and publishing public officials' contact information for lobbying purposes. Penalties range from a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense to a Class B felony for repeat offenses targeting public servants.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by creating new penalties for doxing, increasing legal consequences for online harassment targeting public servants, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of expanded criminalization.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill criminalizes doxing by protecting personal data from unauthorized online sharing, directly strengthening data privacy safeguards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Data Privacy

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passed · Alabama · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 188: Crimes and offenses; making a terrorist threat in the second degree, elements revised, criminal penalties further provided for

HB 188 revises Alabama's criminal code for "making a terrorist threat" by clarifying the definition of a threat and adjusting penalties. It specifies that a second-degree threat occurs when someone credibly threatens violence or property damage using weapons (including firearms or explosives), with the threat causing fear or harm. The bill increases penalties for repeat offenses: a second violation becomes a Class D felony (previously a misdemeanor), while first offenses remain Class A misdemeanors. This directly affects individuals making threats against people, schools, religious properties, or public officials, as defined by the revised legal standards.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for repeat terrorist threats, elevating second offense to felony; aligns with 'oppose' indicators of harsher sentencing and expanded criminalization.95% confidence

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signed · Alabama · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 200: Escambia County; authorizing additional motor vehicle license and registration tax

HB 200 authorizes Escambia County to impose an additional annual $5 fee on new vehicle registrations, transfers, or renewals starting in 2027. This fee applies to all vehicles registered within the county and is collected separately from existing vehicle registration charges. The revenue generated must be distributed monthly to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Fund for law enforcement purposes. The fee requires county commission approval by December 1, 2026, and takes effect June 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes new $5 vehicle registration fee to fund sheriff's law enforcement, increasing county tax revenue for public safety services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allocates $5 annual fee to Escambia County Sheriff's Law Enforcement Fund for law enforcement purposes, directly funding criminal justice operations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

signed · Alabama · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 255: Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission, filing of claims further provided for

HB 255 amends Alabama law to extend the deadline for crime victims to file compensation claims from one year to two years after an injury or death, with exceptions for "good cause." It maintains a 72-hour rule for reporting crimes to police before claims can be processed, also allowing exceptions for "good cause." The bill directly affects crime victims seeking financial assistance and the Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission, which administers these claims. Key provisions streamline filing deadlines while preserving existing safeguards against fraudulent claims or claims from victims who participated in the crime.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends victim claim filing deadline from 1 to 2 years, easing access to compensation within criminal justice system90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Victims' Rights

passed · Alabama · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 243: Crimes and offenses; manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and other motor vehicle crimes amended, restitution amended

HB 243, the Devinee Rooney and John Wesley Holt Safe Streets Act, amends Alabama law to increase penalties for causing death through traffic violations and drug-related incidents. It raises the penalty for causing death by driving in violation of specific traffic laws (Sections 32-5A-191 or 32-5A-191.3) from a misdemeanor to a Class C felony, and creates a new offense for knowingly selling fentanyl-containing drugs that cause death (excluding licensed medical professionals). The bill also clarifies that victims of traffic-related crimes under Sections 32-10-1 through 32-10-5 are eligible for restitution. These changes directly affect drivers in fatal traffic accidents, drug sellers, and crime victims seeking restitution.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRaises penalties for traffic/drug-related deaths to felony, expanding criminalization and increasing punitive measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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