SB 118 Alabama Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Alabama Justice Information Commission; collection, dissemination, and use of biometric identifiers by certain entities provided for; Alabama Background Check Service established, types, uses, and fees for certain background checks for noncriminal justice purposes authorized; Alabama Rap Back Program established, penalties provided for; existing law relating to release of criminal history information repealed

SB 118 establishes the Alabama Background Check Service and the Alabama Rap Back Program, allowing employers, licensing agencies, and other noncriminal justice entities to access background checks using fingerprints and criminal history data. It authorizes the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) to conduct these checks for employment, licensing, or other noncriminal purposes, set fees for the service, and provide ongoing criminal history updates through the Rap Back Program. The bill repeals existing restrictions on releasing criminal history information, updating terminology and technical details to align with current law. It directly affects businesses, organizations, and individuals seeking background checks for noncriminal purposes, such as hiring or professional licensing.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Signed Apr 8, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Enrolled · 2 edits · Apr 8, 2026
MINOR
The bill was finalized for signature (Enrolled) after minor formatting corrections, such as fixing a typo in the bill number and renumbering definitions. The substantive policy content, including the mandate for biometric data collection and background check services, remains unchanged from the Engrossed version.
Scope change
No change in scope or applicability; the text represents the final version ready for the Governor's signature.
TECHNICAL

Corrected the bill number from 'YMV1F2N-2' to '6YRIV3Z-2' and fixed page header formatting.

Reordered and renumbered the list of definitions in Section 1 to align with the final legislative text.

Floor votes

How they voted

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

Actions timeline

Total actions
28
Key actions
9
Committee
4
Amendments
8
Apr 1, 2026
Introduced
Givhan Motion to Concur In and Adopt House Amendment to SB118
upper
Mar 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 970
lower
Mar 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 969
lower
Mar 17, 2026
Introduced
Judiciary 1st Substitute Offered (Judiciary)
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported Out of Committee Second House
lower
Feb 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
Pending Committee Action in Second House (Judiciary)
lower
Feb 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 231
upper
Feb 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Figures motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 230
upper
Feb 3, 2026
Introduced
Figures 1st Amendment Offered
upper
Jan 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Bell motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 56
upper
Jan 20, 2026
Introduced
Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Safety 1st Amendment Offered (Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Safety)
upper
Jan 14, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
upper
Jan 14, 2026
Introduced
Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Safety 1st Amendment (Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Safety)
upper
Jan 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Safety)
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Lance Bell
Lance Bell
RRepublican
AL
11