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.
HB 60 requires Alabama courts to delay both criminal and civil cases when a party, their lead attorney, or a key witness is on active military duty. In criminal cases, the court must set bail for the defendant if the state gets a continuance for military absence, except for violent offenses (with court discretion) or capital crimes. The bill also mandates that Alabama’s Supreme Court update its rules to match these requirements. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026.
HB 58 requires Alabama courts to delay (continue) criminal and civil cases when a party, their lead attorney, or a key witness is on active military duty. It mandates that in criminal cases, bail must be set for defendants when the state secures such a delay, except for violent offenses or capital charges. The bill also requires courts to delay cases if a military witness is unavailable, provided they're material, outside the state, and a request was made per federal law (5 U.S.C. § 301). Civil cases follow similar delay rules but do not require bail setting. The Alabama Supreme Court must update its rules to align with these changes, effective October 1, 2026.
HB 29 amends Alabama's manslaughter law to include cases where sexual extortion of a minor under 18 directly causes the victim's death. The bill specifically adds that if a person commits sexual extortion (as defined in Section 13A-6-241) against a minor and the victim dies, the perpetrator can be charged with manslaughter if the court finds the sexual extortion was the proximate cause of death. It clarifies that a victim's suicide following sexual extortion is deemed a foreseeable consequence, not an independent cause. This change elevates such cases to a Class A felony (the highest penalty for manslaughter), directly affecting minors subjected to sexual extortion and those who commit such acts. The law would take effect October 1, 2026.
