SB 273 revises Alabama's stalking law by upgrading penalties for repeat offenders. Specifically, it changes the penalty for a second or subsequent violation of "stalking in the second degree" from a Class B misdemeanor to a Class C felony. This directly affects individuals convicted of stalking who commit a second or later offense after being warned to stop. The bill does not change the definition of stalking itself but increases the criminal consequences for those with prior convictions. The amendment takes effect on October 1, 2026.
HB 389 expands the definition of "domestic violence victim" to include children of household members who live with or visit the defendant. It establishes mandatory temporary holding periods for domestic violence arrests, requires specific bond conditions for released defendants, and increases penalties for third-degree domestic violence and strangulation offenses. The bill also adds factors for law enforcement to determine the "predominant aggressor" in mutual complaints, mandates specific victim notification language, prohibits polygraph exams for victims, and requires reporting of domestic violence incidents without arrests. These changes directly affect domestic violence victims, law enforcement officers, and courts in Alabama.
HB 257 amends Alabama criminal law to strengthen protections for victims of sexual abuse, particularly children and vulnerable adults in custodial settings. It creates a new crime for sexual misconduct by staff in inpatient facilities (like hospitals), expands definitions of offenses like indecent exposure and directing children to engage in sexual acts to include younger victims, and adds voyeurism to the definition of "sex offense." Key changes include raising indecent exposure involving children under 12 to a felony, requiring mandatory reporting for certain offenses with stricter timelines, and allowing child statements to be used more readily in court. The bill directly affects law enforcement, healthcare facilities, and individuals accused of sexual crimes against minors or vulnerable adults.
HB 228 revises Alabama's pretrial detention process for defendants charged with serious crimes like murder, rape, terrorism, or domestic violence. It requires courts to hold a detention hearing within 10 days of arrest (reducing the prior 45-day window), mandates written justifications for denying bail within 48 hours, and ensures defendants can present evidence and have counsel. The bill specifically applies to cases involving offenses listed in Section 15-13-3(c), including violent crimes and human trafficking. These changes streamline detention decisions while preserving due process rights during hearings.
SB 173 clarifies that only Alabama circuit and district courts have authority to prosecute violations of domestic violence protection orders. It directly affects defendants who breach these orders and the courts handling such cases. The bill changes jurisdiction by giving these courts "exclusive and concurrent jurisdiction," meaning no other courts can hear these cases. It also requires a $50 fine for violations to fund the Domestic Violence Trust Fund, as established in existing law. The bill takes effect on October 1, 2026.
HB 309 creates a public registry within Alabama's law enforcement agency (ALEA) for individuals convicted of two or more domestic violence offenses. It requires these "persistent offenders" to register with ALEA, pay a $150 fee (with $100 going to a domestic violence fund), and includes their name, birth date, conviction details, and photo on ALEA's website - excluding addresses or victim information. Offenders can be removed after 5-20 years, depending on prior convictions, if they commit no new offenses; new convictions reset the removal timeline. The registry becomes active January 1, 2027, and ALEA must adopt rules to manage it.
SB 156 establishes a process for courts to issue gun violence protective orders when an individual poses an immediate danger of causing injury to themselves or others. Law enforcement officers, teachers, or family members can petition for an ex parte order (temporary, valid until a hearing within 14 days) requiring the respondent to surrender all firearms and ammunition to law enforcement. If the danger continues, a one-year order may be issued, with provisions for renewal or early termination under specific conditions. Violating these orders would result in criminal penalties.
SB 203 strengthens protections for children and vulnerable individuals in Alabama by increasing penalties for certain sex crimes involving minors. It raises the age threshold for child victims in offenses like indecent exposure (making it a Class C felony if the victim is under 12) and expands the crime of transmitting obscene material to children to cover all electronic devices, removing the defense that undercover officers were posing as children. The bill also creates a new crime - *inpatient custodial sexual misconduct* - prohibiting sexual conduct between facility employees (in drug rehab or mental health centers) and patients, with consent explicitly not serving as a defense. These changes directly affect children under 12, patients in treatment facilities, and individuals accused of these specific offenses.
