Criminal Justice in Alabama

in committee · Alabama · Senate Feb 25, 2026

SB 323: Criminal defendants with mental illness; right of appeal for commitment and conditional release order provided, jurisdiction to hear appeals provided

SB 323 creates a formal right of appeal for both criminal defendants with mental illness and the Alabama Department of Mental Health regarding court orders committing defendants to mental health facilities or modifying conditional release terms. The bill amends Alabama code to grant the Court of Criminal Appeals exclusive jurisdiction to hear these appeals, replacing the previous lack of appellate review. It directly affects defendants found not guilty by reason of insanity or mental illness who are committed to state mental health facilities, as well as the Department of Mental Health. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, and makes minor technical updates to existing legal language.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts

in committee · Alabama · Senate Feb 24, 2026

SB 321: Psychoactive cannabinoids; psychoactive derivatives of hemp added as Schedule I drug; possession and use of psychoactive cannabinoids prohibited and criminal penalties provided; consumable hemp product laws repealed

SB 321 reclassifies psychoactive cannabinoids derived from hemp (including Delta-8, Delta-9, and Delta-10 THC) as Schedule I controlled substances, effectively banning them under state law. This directly affects consumers who use these products and businesses selling consumable hemp products containing psychoactive compounds. The bill repeals existing laws allowing the sale of such products to adults over 21 and adds criminal penalties: possession for personal use becomes a Class A misdemeanor, while other possession carries felony charges. These changes align penalties with those for marijuana possession. The bill is pending committee review in Alabama's Senate Healthcare Committee.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

passed both · Alabama · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 240: Parole, remote inmate participation at parole hearings, authorized, conditions established

SB 240 requires the state's Department of Corrections to provide telephone or video conference systems enabling inmates to participate remotely in their parole hearings. This bill directly affects incarcerated individuals seeking parole by allowing them to attend hearings via approved communication methods without needing to be physically present. The law mandates that the communication system must permit real-time interaction between inmates and parole board members during hearings. The bill becomes effective on March 1, 2027, after implementation by the Department of Corrections and parole board.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

signed · Alabama · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 487: Appropriations, supplemental appropriations from the Opioid Treatment and Abatement Fund for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026

HB 487 allocates $43,138,650 in supplemental funding from Alabama’s Opioid Treatment and Abatement Fund for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. The bill directs funds to specific state entities, including $26.36 million to the Department of Mental Health for opioid prevention, treatment, and recovery programs (such as Naloxone purchases, the 988 Crisis Line, and residential detox), $1 million to the Department of Corrections for medication-assisted treatment and harm-reduction services in prisons, and smaller allocations to universities, courts, child advocacy centers, and law enforcement. Key provisions include funding for opioid prevention programs in schools, expansion of treatment beds, and support for community-based recovery services. Unused funds will carry forward to the next fiscal year, as specified in Section 2.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Law Enforcement Mental Health Substance Abuse

in committee · Alabama · House Feb 24, 2026

HB 494: Search and seizure; warrant required for government agent to enter private land and seize personal property thereon, subject to exceptions

HB 494 requires government agents (like law enforcement) to obtain a warrant before entering private land or seizing personal property (such as vehicles, animals, or tools) on that land, except in specific situations. These exceptions include owner consent, immediate threats (exigent circumstances), imminent unlawful wildlife destruction, or needing to euthanize a distressed animal. Agents entering private property must notify owners immediately, activate body cameras, and provide evidence for wildlife-related entries. Evidence gathered in violation of this law cannot be used in court, and invalid arrests may result from such violations. The bill applies to all private landowners in Alabama and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

in committee · Alabama · House Feb 24, 2026

HB 505: Criminal defendants with mental illness; right of appeal for commitment and conditional release order provided, jurisdiction to hear appeals provided

HB 505 creates a new right for both criminal defendants with mental illness and Alabama's Department of Mental Health to appeal court orders that commit defendants to mental health custody or modify their conditional release terms. The bill specifically allows appeals of these orders to the Court of Criminal Appeals, which previously lacked jurisdiction for such cases. This change applies to existing procedures for defendants found to pose a "real and present threat of substantial harm" due to mental illness, as determined under current law. The bill does not alter the standards for commitment or release but adds a formal appellate process for these specific court decisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts

signed · Alabama · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 420: Crimes and offenses; discharging a firearm into an occupied school bus or building, penalty increased

HB 420 increases penalties for discharging a firearm into an occupied school bus or school building to a Class A felony, the highest level of felony in Alabama. It also establishes a Class B felony for firing a gun on school property during school hours or activities, and a Class C felony for other discharges on school property. The bill includes exceptions for self-defense, organized firearm competitions, and school-sanctioned events involving firearms. The law will take effect on October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Firearms

signed · Alabama · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 405: Crimes and offenses; bail jumping in the third degree, established

HB 405 creates a new offense called "bail jumping in the third degree" for individuals released from custody (with or without bail) who violate court-ordered electronic monitoring conditions. This bill directly affects people under electronic monitoring as a release condition, making such violations a Class C misdemeanor punishable by law. Key provisions include defining the offense, setting penalties, and allowing a defense for unintentional violations due to circumstances beyond the defendant's control (though the defendant must prove this). The law would take effect on October 1, 2026, if passed.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts

in committee · Alabama · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 316: Prisons; Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts, Prison Oversight Coordinator position established; investigation of correctional facilities, required; Corrections Oversight Board, established

SB 316 establishes a Prison Oversight Coordinator position within Alabama's Department of Examiners of Public Accounts to monitor correctional facilities. The coordinator will inspect facilities every 1-3 years (depending on safety ratings), assessing conditions, staffing, inmate programs, medical care, and safety incidents like assaults. It also creates a Corrections Oversight Board to review findings and prohibits retaliation against staff or inmates who cooperate with inspections. The bill directly affects Alabama's prison system, requiring regular facility evaluations to address systemic issues impacting inmate safety and rehabilitation.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

signed · Alabama · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 254: Board of Pardons and Paroles; discretion whether to grant or deny parole, further provided; review of parole violations, procedure further provided to require consideration of totality of circumstances; penalties for certain parole-violations, increased

SB 254 modifies Alabama's parole revocation process for individuals convicted of specific serious offenses (like violent crimes, sex offenses, or firearm violations). It replaces automatic parole revocation for these cases with board discretion to consider the full circumstances of a violation and choose appropriate sanctions, rather than mandating prison time. The bill also allows the parole board to reinstate parole immediately if new criminal charges leading to revocation are dismissed, resolved as a misdemeanor, or result in an acquittal. This change directly affects parolees convicted of the enumerated offenses who face new charges or violations, shifting decision-making from automatic penalties to case-by-case review.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms Probation & Parole

All criminal justice bills