Criminal Justice

signed · Alabama · House Apr 15, 2026

HJR 309: Representative James Edward Hill, Jr., commended

HJR 309 is a commendation resolution honoring Representative James Edward Hill, Jr. for his distinguished career in public service, including his roles as a judge and State Representative. The bill formally recognizes his leadership on the House Judiciary Committee and his contributions to criminal justice reforms in Alabama. This legislative action does not change any laws or policies but serves to acknowledge his achievements and contributions to the state.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly honors a representative for contributions to criminal justice reforms, indicating a supportive stance toward the topic.70% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges

in committee · Alabama · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 585: Money transmissions, transaction fee imposed for certain outgoing international wire transfers, income tax credit established to offset transaction fees imposed on taxpayer, reporting of certain suspicious cash transactions required, Securities Commission to enforce

This bill requires money transmission businesses in Alabama to report large or suspicious cash transactions to the state Securities Commission and imposes a 1.5% fee on outgoing international wire transfers. The collected fees would be placed in a state fund and distributed to local sheriffs to help cover immigration law enforcement costs, while taxpayers who pay these fees would receive an income tax credit to offset the charges. The legislation also establishes criminal and civil penalties for businesses that fail to comply with reporting requirements and creates a study commission to monitor how the fee proceeds are used. These provisions would remain in effect until December 31, 2030, when they are scheduled to be repealed.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides income tax credit to offset transaction fees and allocates funds to local sheriffs for immigration enforcement, supporting fiscal management and public service funding.75% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds local sheriffs for immigration enforcement through wire transfer fees, directly supporting law enforcement resources and criminal justice operations.75% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill funds immigration law enforcement through wire transfer fees and mandates reporting of suspicious transactions, increasing state enforcement capacity.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · Alabama · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 621: Law enforcement agencies; mandatory reporting requirements to Alabama Criminal Justice Information Commission, provided

This bill requires law enforcement agencies across Alabama to annually report the number of sworn officers they employ to the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Commission. The reports must be submitted by July 1, 2026, and February 1 each year thereafter, and must include details about whether officers are certified by the state's peace officers standards commission. The information collected will be shared with the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency and Attorney General, who will compile and publish the data on their official website. Agencies that fail to submit these reports face penalties including fines, potential removal of officials from office, and loss of eligibility for state grant funding. The bill also authorizes the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency to create rules to implement these reporting requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances police accountability through mandatory reporting requirements and data transparency to oversight agencies.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · Alabama · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 515: Criminal defendants with mental illnesses; civil inpatient commitment guidelines for criminal defendants further provided

This bill expands the legal definition of criminal defendants with mental illnesses to include individuals who are found incompetent to stand trial and cannot be restored to competency. It limits how long the Department of Mental Health can provide custody, care, and treatment for these individuals to the maximum possible prison sentence they could receive for the charged crime, with exceptions for capital murder cases or when civil commitment criteria are still met. The legislation also includes technical updates to align the code language with current style conventions. These changes directly affect the state's mental health system and the judicial process for handling mentally ill defendants in Alabama.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands mental health protections for criminal defendants, enhancing rehabilitation and civil rights while limiting indefinite custody without clear cause.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands mental health treatment access for incompetent defendants, ensuring continued care and civil commitment guidelines that protect patient rights and support mental health services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Mental Health

Track

in committee · Alabama · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 644: Crimes and offenses; crime of female genital mutilation established, penalties provided

This bill establishes female genital mutilation as a criminal offense in Alabama, targeting individuals who perform or authorize the procedure on girls under 19 years of age. The law defines the crime to include various procedures such as cutting, excising, or burning genital tissue for nonmedical purposes and imposes Class B felony penalties on those who commit the act, allow it to happen under their custody, or remove a girl from the state for this purpose. The legislation explicitly states that religious or cultural beliefs do not provide a legal defense and that minors cannot consent to the procedure, while allowing exceptions only for medically necessary procedures performed by licensed physicians. The bill does not change medical liability standards and will take effect on June 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes female genital mutilation, strengthening law enforcement authority to protect victims and advance criminal justice by adding a specific offense.95% confidence

Track

signed · Alabama · House Apr 9, 2026

HJR 237: Naming the bridge on United States Highway 45 that spans the B.N. Railroad between Sports Plex Road and Bell Grayson Road in Marengo County as the Fred Armstead, Sr. Memorial Bridge

This bill proposes to name a specific bridge in Demopolis, Marengo County, Alabama, as the Fred Armstead, Sr. Memorial Bridge. It directly affects the Alabama Department of Transportation, which would be asked to coordinate with local officials to officially designate the bridge and install appropriate signage. The legislation honors Fred Armstead, Sr., a longtime public servant who was the first Black police officer in Demopolis and served as a county commissioner for 36 years. This is a commemorative resolution that does not change existing laws or policies but instead recognizes an individual's contributions through a naming designation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill honors first Black police officer and long-serving county commissioner, recognizing contributions to law enforcement and community service in criminal justice context.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

signed · Alabama · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 612: Covington County; sheriff authorized to sell certain abandoned, unclaimed, or stolen property and firearms, auction and disposition of funds provided, constitutional amendment

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to authorize the Covington County Sheriff to sell abandoned, stolen, and unclaimed personal property and firearms, with proceeds used for law enforcement. The amendment requires the sheriff to maintain public records of recovered items and store them properly, while allowing immediate sale of perishable property without notice if owners cannot be found. Firearms would be sold only to licensed gun dealers through sealed bidding, and other unclaimed property would be auctioned publicly after proper notice and a six-month waiting period. Owners can reclaim their property before sale by proving ownership and paying recovery and storage costs. If unclaimed after six months, net proceeds from sales would be deposited into a dedicated fund for the sheriff's office to use at their discretion for law enforcement purposes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill authorizes sheriff to sell abandoned/stolen property and firearms, directing proceeds to law enforcement, strengthening criminal justice funding and recovery operations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

in committee · Alabama · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 653: Human trafficking; crime of human trafficking in the first degree, minimum sentence imposed for subjecting victim to sexual servitude

This bill amends Alabama's human trafficking laws to mandate life imprisonment for anyone convicted of first-degree human trafficking when the victim was subjected to sexual servitude. The law currently already requires life sentences for trafficking cases involving minor victims, but this change extends that mandatory minimum to all sexual servitude cases regardless of the victim's age. The legislation affects prosecutors, judges, and defendants by establishing a stricter sentencing standard for a specific type of trafficking offense. The bill also clarifies that corporations can be held criminally liable for human trafficking when their agents commit the crimes within the scope of their employment. This change would take effect on October 1, 2026, if passed by the legislature.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by mandating life imprisonment for first-degree human trafficking cases involving sexual servitude, enhancing penalties for serious crimes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Sentencing

Track

signed · Alabama · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SJR 79: Alabama Legislative Study Commission on Child Sexual Abuse Laws and Policies, created

This bill establishes the Alabama Legislative Study Commission on Child Sexual Abuse Laws and Policies to examine the state's current legal framework regarding child sexual abuse. The commission will consist of members from both houses of the legislature, the Attorney General, and other designated officials who will review existing criminal and civil laws, statutes of limitations, reporting requirements, and institutional accountability measures. Through hearings and research, the commission will gather information, receive testimony, compare approaches used in other states, and identify potential gaps or inconsistencies in how Alabama's laws operate together to protect children and support survivors. The study aims to evaluate whether current laws adequately address various forms of abuse, including online exploitation and institutional failures, and to recommend potential improvements to the legal system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes commission to review child sexual abuse laws, examining legal framework, statutes of limitations, and accountability measures to improve criminal justice system.85% confidence

signed · Alabama · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SB 339: Crenshaw County; authorize law enforcement to take individual with mental illness into protective custody under certain conditions; legal immunity provided

This bill authorizes law enforcement officers in Crenshaw County to take individuals with mental illness into protective custody when they pose an immediate danger to themselves or others. The officer must transport the person to a hospital or treatment facility for evaluation, and if the individual does not consent, reasonable force may be used. The person must be released within 72 hours unless a judge orders further treatment, and the custody is not considered an arrest or criminal charge. Law enforcement officers and medical providers acting in good faith under this bill receive immunity from civil liability.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides mental health protective custody for individuals with mental illness, reducing unnecessary criminalization and promoting appropriate treatment instead of arrest.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill authorizes protective custody for mental health crises, ensuring access to hospital evaluation and treatment, which supports mental health services and patient safety.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges Law Enforcement Hospitals Mental Health