SB 43 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Alabama's Legislature to revive civil claims related to child sexual abuse that were previously barred by time limits. It would enable the creation of procedures for survivors to pursue lawsuits even if filed after standard statute of limitations periods, including retroactive application to claims barred before, on, or after January 1, 2027. The amendment explicitly excludes claims already resolved through final judgments or signed settlements. It defines "child sexual abuse" as conduct directed at individuals under 19 that would be punishable under Alabama's criminal laws. This is a procedural constitutional change currently pending committee review in the Alabama Senate.
This bill increases penalties for harassment or threatening communications directed at public officials. Currently, such offenses are Class C misdemeanors, but this bill upgrades them to Class B misdemeanors when the victim is a public official. It applies to both physical harassment (like touching or abusive gestures) and communications (like threatening phone calls or online messages) intended to harass or alarm officials. The bill does not change penalties for harassment targeting non-officials or exempt legitimate business communications.
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.
HB 228 revises Alabama's pretrial detention process for defendants charged with serious crimes like murder, rape, terrorism, or domestic violence. It requires courts to hold a detention hearing within 10 days of arrest (reducing the prior 45-day window), mandates written justifications for denying bail within 48 hours, and ensures defendants can present evidence and have counsel. The bill specifically applies to cases involving offenses listed in Section 15-13-3(c), including violent crimes and human trafficking. These changes streamline detention decisions while preserving due process rights during hearings.
This bill establishes a new criminal offense for intentionally disrupting a scheduled religious worship service. It applies to individuals who enter a church building or adjacent property (including mosques, synagogues, or other religious sites) with the intent to disrupt and then engage in rioting, disorderly conduct, harassment of participants, or blocking access to the property. A first violation is punishable as a Class C felony, while repeat offenses require a mandatory minimum five-year prison sentence. The law, set to take effect on October 1, 2026, directly affects those who target religious gatherings through such disruptive actions.
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.
HB 126 requires mandatory pretrial detention hearings without exception for defendants charged with either a Class A felony that resulted in death or attempted murder (pending constitutional amendment ratification). This changes current law by requiring prosecutors to always request denial of bail for these offenses, eliminating the court's ability to waive the hearing. The bill directly affects defendants facing these specific charges in Alabama courts, ensuring they remain detained until a hearing determines release conditions. It updates existing bail procedures to remove discretion for these serious offenses, while including minor technical code revisions. The bill does not change eligibility for bail in other cases.
