HB 154 would allow Alabama law enforcement to arrest someone without a warrant if they are charged in another state with any felony, including crimes punishable by more than one year in prison. It also permits out-of-state officers to arrest individuals in Alabama during a "fresh pursuit" of a felony suspect - meaning they are chasing the suspect without unreasonable delay after the crime. After such an arrest, the person must be brought before a judge promptly to review the arrest's legality. If the judge finds the arrest lawful, the person may be held for extradition or released on bail; if unlawful, they must be freed.
SB 192 extends the deadline for Alabama crime victims to file compensation claims with the Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission from one year to two years after the injury or death. This change directly affects individuals who suffered harm from criminal acts and seek financial assistance for medical costs, lost wages, or funeral expenses. The bill amends Section 15-23-12 of Alabama law to set the new two-year filing period, while preserving the existing exception allowing claims filed after the deadline if the commission finds "good cause" for the delay. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026.
SB 50 prohibits law enforcement officers in Alabama from using tasers on individuals who are restrained, such as those in handcuffs or other restraints. It directly affects officers by banning taser use when a person cannot resist, including during arrest or custody. The bill defines "restrained" to cover individuals secured with handcuffs, body cuffs, or similar devices, and explicitly overrides existing law (Section 13A-3-27) regarding taser use. This policy change would take effect on October 1, 2026, if enacted.
SB 84 requires the Alabama Department of Public Health to establish and enforce sanitation standards for food services in state correctional facilities, county jails, and municipal jails. The bill mandates regular inspections of food preparation, storage, and serving areas, and obligates facilities to correct identified violations. It grants the Department authority to issue sanitation scores and prescribe corrective actions but prohibits suspending food services without approval from the facility's governing body (e.g., the Corrections Commissioner for state facilities or local government for county/municipal jails). The law takes effect on October 1, 2026.
SB 120 requires all Alabama state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies to adopt written policies for vehicular pursuits by October 2026. It restricts pursuits to suspects accused of specific serious violent crimes, including murder, kidnapping, human trafficking, rape, and offenses creating immediate threats of death or serious injury. The law mandates that policies address cross-jurisdictional pursuits (e.g., into neighboring states) and requires agencies to meet probable cause standards before authorizing a chase. Agencies failing to adopt compliant policies risk losing state or federally administered funding.
SB 142 expands Alabama's reckless endangerment law by adding a new provision for conduct creating a substantial risk of serious injury to multiple people, which would be punishable as a Class C felony. It also increases penalties for using a firearm during such an offense, elevating it to a Class B felony. The bill directly affects individuals who recklessly endanger multiple people or use weapons while committing reckless endangerment. These changes would take effect on October 1, 2026, modifying existing penalties under Alabama Code Section 13A-6-24.
SB 49 prohibits law enforcement officers in Alabama from using tasers on individuals who are restrained (such as those in handcuffs or body restraints). It directly affects all police officers and law enforcement personnel covered by Alabama's definition of "law enforcement officer." The bill makes violations a Class C felony, imposing criminal penalties for using tasers on anyone unable to resist. If enacted, the law would take effect on October 1, 2026.
HB 158 increases penalties for promoting and soliciting prostitution in Alabama. It upgrades promoting prostitution to a Class D felony (from a misdemeanor) and adds tiered penalties for soliciting: a second violation becomes a misdemeanor with mandatory jail time (5+ days), while third or subsequent violations become a Class D felony (30+ days jail). Crucially, it mandates a Class D felony charge for anyone soliciting trafficking victims (as defined in state law), regardless of whether the perpetrator knew the victim was trafficked. The bill directly affects individuals engaging in or facilitating prostitution, particularly repeat offenders and those exploiting trafficking victims.
SB 157 (Alabama) changes how law enforcement body-worn and dashboard camera footage is handled. Currently, such recordings can only be shared with people pictured or their personal representatives. This bill makes that footage a public record, meaning anyone can request it for inspection, subject to limited exceptions like ongoing investigations. Law enforcement agencies must respond to requests within 30 days or explain denials, and individuals denied access can appeal to a court. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.
This bill creates a legal presumption that deadly force used in self-defense or defense of others is justified under specific circumstances, such as preventing burglary, kidnapping, or violent assaults like robbery or forcible rape. It establishes exceptions where this presumption does not apply, including when the defender is engaged in unlawful activity, the victim is a law enforcement officer acting in duty, or the defender is removing a child under lawful custody. The bill also requires pretrial hearings to determine if self-defense immunity applies before trial, with the defendant needing to prove justification by a preponderance of evidence. It directly affects individuals in Alabama facing criminal charges for using force in self-defense or defense of others.
