Criminal Justice (Drug Policy) in Alabama

in committee · Alabama · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SB 377: Firearms; possession without identification prohibited in certain municipalities

This bill prohibits individuals from carrying firearms in specific Alabama municipalities without a valid form of identification. It applies only to Class 1 municipalities and Class 3 municipalities organized under Act 618, requiring people to produce ID when asked by law enforcement. The law allows individuals to avoid penalties if they can verify their identity to an officer even without physical ID, and courts must dismiss charges and expunge records if valid ID is later produced. Violations would result in a Class C misdemeanor charge. The bill would take effect on October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Law Enforcement

in committee · Alabama · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 652: Crimes and offenses; crime of manslaughter, elements of crime further provided; penalty increased

This bill modifies Alabama's manslaughter laws to broaden the circumstances under which someone can be charged with manslaughter when providing controlled substances. It removes the requirement that the substance must specifically contain fentanyl, applying instead to any controlled substance that causes the recipient's death. The penalty for this offense would increase from a Class B felony to a Class A felony with a mandatory minimum life sentence. Medical professionals licensed to practice medicine, pharmacy, or dentistry are excluded from these provisions. The changes would take effect on October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Sentencing Prescription Drugs

in committee · Alabama · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 285: Crimes and offenses; unlawful possession of marijuana; crime revised based on amount of ounces possessed; criminal penalties revised

SB 285 amends Alabama's marijuana possession laws by redefining offenses based on the amount possessed. It creates a new "second-degree" offense for possessing less than one ounce (previously covered personal use only), reducing this to a fine-only violation (down from a Class A misdemeanor). For one ounce or more, it establishes a "first-degree" offense with tiered penalties: fines for first/second offenses within five years, and a felony for third or subsequent offenses. The bill also adds an expungement process for eligible cases, allowing records to be sealed if the person has no recent felony, misdemeanor, or violation convictions (excluding minor traffic offenses). This bill is pending committee review and would take effect October 1, 2026, if passed.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

in committee · Alabama · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 437: 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

HB 437 modifies Alabama's parole violation procedures. It requires the Board of Pardons and Paroles to revoke parole and send individuals to prison for violations involving violent crimes, sex offenses, firearm possession, or aggravated theft. For other violations, the board may choose to impose up to 45 days in a specialized facility or county jail instead of revoking parole, considering the "totality of circumstances." The bill also creates a new Parole Revocation Hearing Officer position and allows parole officers to impose short-term sanctions like GPS monitoring or treatment. This directly affects parolees who violate their release terms.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Probation & Parole

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

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

died · Alabama · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 309: Crimes and offenses; unlawful possession with intent to distribute fentanyl further provided for, trafficking in illegal drugs containing fentanyl further provided for

SB 309 lowers the quantity thresholds for felony charges related to fentanyl possession and trafficking in Alabama. It reduces the amount triggering "unlawful possession with intent to distribute" from 2-4 grams to 0.5-1 gram or 2-4 grams of fentanyl mixtures. The bill also expands "trafficking in illegal drugs" to include possession of certain fentanyl mixtures (previously limited to 1 gram of pure fentanyl). This change directly affects individuals possessing these lower amounts of fentanyl-containing substances, increasing the likelihood of felony charges for smaller quantities.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

in committee · Alabama · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 458: Crimes and offenses; obscene material, possession with intent to distribute amended

HB 458 amends Alabama law to clarify that possessing at least 50 physical items or digital files of legally defined obscene material constitutes "knowingly possessing with intent to distribute." This directly affects individuals and businesses distributing such material, including those operating in commercial contexts like retail or production. The key change sets a specific threshold (50 items/files) for triggering criminal penalties, which previously lacked this clear definition. Violations are punishable as misdemeanors (up to $10,000 fine or 1 year in jail) for first offenses, escalating to Class C felonies for repeat violations. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

in committee · Alabama · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 261: Expungement; automatic order of expungement, required under certain conditions

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy

passed · Alabama · House Jan 29, 2026

HB 72: Crimes & offenses; smoking or vaping marijuana in motor vehicle when child is present prohibited, criminal penalties provided, notification of Department of Human Resources required, mandatory reporting if child smells of marijuana required

HB 72 prohibits smoking or vaping marijuana in any motor vehicle when a child under 19 is present, regardless of the driver's age. It classifies violations as a Class A misdemeanor, requires offenders to complete a virtual education course developed by the Alabama Department of Public Health, and mandates law enforcement to report violations to the Department of Human Resources. The bill also requires mandatory reporting when a child smells of marijuana, treating such reports as child abuse or neglect. Additionally, it directs the Alabama Department of Public Health to create free public education materials about the dangers of exposing children to marijuana smoke. The law would take effect on October 1, 2026, if passed.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement

All criminal justice bills