HB 228 Alabama House · 2026 Regular Session

Pretrial detention hearings; procedure revised

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.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Last action Mar 11, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Engrossed · 4 edits · Feb 10, 2026
MODERATE
This bill updates Alabama's criminal procedure laws regarding pretrial hearings and bail. It clarifies that a pretrial detention hearing can satisfy a defendant's right to a preliminary hearing and establishes strict timelines for when these hearings must occur, including a 10-day window for setting the hearing after arrest. The bill also lists specific serious offenses where defendants may be denied bail and outlines the rights defendants have during these hearings.
Scope change
The bill expands the applicability of pretrial detention hearing rules to ensure they satisfy preliminary hearing rights and clarifies the list of offenses eligible for bail denial.
TIMELINE

Changed the deadline for setting a pretrial detention hearing to within 10 days of arrest, with specific limits on continuances.

REQUIREMENT

Clarified that a pretrial detention hearing satisfies the statutory right to a preliminary hearing for felony charges.

ELIGIBILITY

Updated the list of offenses for which a court may deny bail, including specific crimes like murder, kidnapping, and terrorism.

DEFINITION

Reorganized and clarified the statutory language regarding when a defendant is held without bail versus when a hearing is required.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
13
Key actions
6
Committee
4
Amendments
2
Mar 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported Out of Committee Second House
upper
Feb 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Pending Committee Action in Second House (Judiciary)
upper
Feb 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 354
lower
Feb 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 353
lower
Feb 10, 2026
Introduced
Judiciary Engrossed Substitute Offered (Judiciary)
lower
Jan 28, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported Out of Committee House of Origin (Judiciary)
lower
Jan 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Judiciary)
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.