SB 173 clarifies that only Alabama circuit and district courts have authority to prosecute violations of domestic violence protection orders. It directly affects defendants who breach these orders and the courts handling such cases. The bill changes jurisdiction by giving these courts "exclusive and concurrent jurisdiction," meaning no other courts can hear these cases. It also requires a $50 fine for violations to fund the Domestic Violence Trust Fund, as established in existing law. The bill takes effect on October 1, 2026.
HB 309 creates a public registry within Alabama's law enforcement agency (ALEA) for individuals convicted of two or more domestic violence offenses. It requires these "persistent offenders" to register with ALEA, pay a $150 fee (with $100 going to a domestic violence fund), and includes their name, birth date, conviction details, and photo on ALEA's website - excluding addresses or victim information. Offenders can be removed after 5-20 years, depending on prior convictions, if they commit no new offenses; new convictions reset the removal timeline. The registry becomes active January 1, 2027, and ALEA must adopt rules to manage it.
HB 274 authorizes Alabama's Department of Corrections to take reasonable actions against unauthorized drones near correctional facilities, including jamming (within federal limits), hacking, physical capture, or other measures to disrupt drone operations. It directly affects prison security operations by granting the Department specific tools to address drone threats, such as potential contraband smuggling. The bill requires all actions to comply with federal law and specifies these measures are limited to neutralizing drone threats. The law will take effect on June 1, 2026.
HB 301 authorizes the Southeastern Mvskoke Nation (a tribe recognized by Alabama) to hire its own certified police officers to protect tribal property, employees, and residents. The bill specifies these officers can arrest individuals for trespassing, disorderly conduct, or other offenses committed on tribal land without a warrant, and handle felony arrests under defined conditions. Crucially, the tribe must fund these officers entirely with its own resources - no state or local law enforcement funds may be used. The officers’ authority is strictly limited to tribal land, except when pursuing offenders or making felony arrests related to the reservation.
SB 156 establishes a process for courts to issue gun violence protective orders when an individual poses an immediate danger of causing injury to themselves or others. Law enforcement officers, teachers, or family members can petition for an ex parte order (temporary, valid until a hearing within 14 days) requiring the respondent to surrender all firearms and ammunition to law enforcement. If the danger continues, a one-year order may be issued, with provisions for renewal or early termination under specific conditions. Violating these orders would result in criminal penalties.
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.
SB 203 strengthens protections for children and vulnerable individuals in Alabama by increasing penalties for certain sex crimes involving minors. It raises the age threshold for child victims in offenses like indecent exposure (making it a Class C felony if the victim is under 12) and expands the crime of transmitting obscene material to children to cover all electronic devices, removing the defense that undercover officers were posing as children. The bill also creates a new crime - *inpatient custodial sexual misconduct* - prohibiting sexual conduct between facility employees (in drug rehab or mental health centers) and patients, with consent explicitly not serving as a defense. These changes directly affect children under 12, patients in treatment facilities, and individuals accused of these specific offenses.
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.
HB 168 amends Alabama's loitering law to clarify exemptions for mask usage during protests and authorize schools to set campus mask policies. It adds that wearing a medical or surgical mask during protests for disease mitigation (with possible verification) is exempt from loitering charges, while schools and colleges may establish their own mask rules for campuses. The bill does not require masks but gives local education authorities the power to create campus policies. Violations of school mask rules would lead to administrative discipline only, not criminal charges under the loitering law. This applies specifically to public schools and higher education institutions in Alabama.
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.
