SB 60 requires Alabama's Department of Corrections (DOC) to check for active arrest warrants against inmates at key stages: during intake, when considering work release, before parole board review, and 90 days before sentence completion. It also mandates the Board of Pardons and Paroles to check warrants when reviewing parole eligibility. If a warrant is found, the DOC must notify courts or prosecutors and arrange virtual court hearings for inmates (avoiding physical transport), per existing law. The bill directly affects inmates, DOC staff, parole boards, and law enforcement agencies. It becomes effective January 1, 2027.
HB 261 automatically expunges criminal records for individuals acquitted or having charges dismissed (with prejudice, no-bill by grand jury, or nolle prossed without conditions) without requiring a court petition. It applies to felony, misdemeanor, traffic, boating, or municipal violation cases where no new charges are filed within 14 days. The bill eliminates associated fees and ensures expunged records remain accessible only for related civil legal matters, with redaction after resolution. This changes current law by removing the need for defendants to file petitions, streamlining record clearance for those cleared of charges. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
This bill requires Alabama courts to automatically continue both criminal and civil cases when a party, their lead attorney, or a key witness is on active military duty. In criminal cases, courts must set bail for defendants when a continuance is granted due to military absence (except for violent offenses or capital charges). The bill also mandates that courts only proceed with a case if the absent party or attorney announces readiness for trial, and it requires the Alabama Supreme Court to update its rules to align with these changes. The law applies to all cases involving active-duty military members and takes effect October 1, 2026.
SB 44 extends the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits related to child sexual abuse in Alabama. Survivors who were under 19 during the abuse can now file claims up to 20 years after turning 19 or two years after the perpetrator’s criminal conviction (whichever is later), instead of the current six-year window. The bill also revives time-barred claims filed by January 1, 2029, and removes barriers like notice requirements, damage caps, and immunity protections for claims involving abuse occurring on or after October 1, 2026. It applies to cases against perpetrators or negligent organizations (like schools or care facilities) that failed to prevent or address the abuse. This change aims to align legal timelines with the reality of delayed disclosures by survivors.
This bill streamlines Alabama's pretrial process for defendants charged with serious felonies (like murder, kidnapping, or rape). It requires courts to hold a single pretrial detention hearing within 10 days of arrest, which also satisfies the defendant's right to a preliminary hearing. Continuances (delays) are limited to 21 days unless both the prosecution and defense agree, and courts must document all proceedings. Appeals of detention decisions will go directly to the Court of Criminal Appeals.
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.
HB 91 would change how funds from court fees are used by Alabama sheriff's offices. Currently, money allocated to the sheriff's office from these fees can only cover jail operations. This bill expands that use to include all sheriff's office functions, such as patrols or investigations, for law enforcement purposes. The change would take effect on October 1, 2026, and directly affects all Alabama sheriffs' offices receiving these court fee funds.
HB 70 allows certain defendants convicted of capital murder before June 1, 2026, to seek resentencing if a jury previously recommended life without parole but a judge overruled that recommendation to impose a death sentence. The bill requires courts to resentence eligible defendants under current law (which follows jury recommendations) if they meet specific criteria: the sentence was imposed under pre-April 2017 law, the jury advised life without parole, and the judge overruled that advice. Petitions for resentencing must be filed with the original sentencing court and are free of filing fees. The bill repeals an existing resentencing provision and takes effect October 1, 2026. It directly affects capital murder defendants whose sentences were altered via judicial override before the specified date.
SB 30, known as "Trey's Law," makes any agreement clause prohibiting disclosure of sexual abuse acts or related facts unenforceable. It directly affects survivors of sexual abuse and entities (like employers or organizations) that use nondisclosure agreements to silence victims. The bill voids such clauses in agreements entered into on or after October 1, 2026, but only for the sexual abuse disclosure terms - other parts of agreements, like compensation, remain enforceable. This policy change ensures survivors can speak freely about abuse without legal penalty, aligning with Alabama's public policy against shielding perpetrators.
HB 10 would amend Alabama law to remove specific minor offenses from the definition of "delinquent act" for 14- and 15-year-olds. Under this bill, nonfelony traffic violations (like speeding) or water safety offenses (like boating without a life jacket) committed by youth in this age group would no longer trigger juvenile court proceedings, except for offenses related to driving under the influence. This change directly affects 14- and 15-year-old Alabama residents who commit these minor violations, preventing their cases from entering the juvenile justice system. The bill targets a specific provision in Section 12-15-102 of Alabama Code, narrowing which acts qualify as delinquent for this age group.
