Rep. Greg Barnes

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Alabama State Committee of Public Health to review and potentially classify a new synthetic opioid called N-Propionitrile Chlorphine as a Schedule I controlled substance. The legislation cites concerns that this drug is approximately 10 times more potent than fentanyl and poses a high risk of accidental overdose due to its extreme potency and presence in counterfeit pills. If the committee acts on this request, the substance would be added to Alabama's list of controlled substances under existing state law. The bill directs the State Health Officer and committee members to process this review immediately.

Maddy summaryThis 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.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Alabama's human trafficking laws to mandate life imprisonment for anyone convicted of first-degree human trafficking when the victim was subjected to sexual servitude. The law currently already requires life sentences for trafficking cases involving minor victims, but this change extends that mandatory minimum to all sexual servitude cases regardless of the victim's age. The legislation affects prosecutors, judges, and defendants by establishing a stricter sentencing standard for a specific type of trafficking offense. The bill also clarifies that corporations can be held criminally liable for human trafficking when their agents commit the crimes within the scope of their employment. This change would take effect on October 1, 2026, if passed by the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis 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.

Maddy summaryHB 208 proposes amending Alabama's constitution to raise the maximum age for qualifying as Walker County's probate judge from the current limit to 75 years. It would allow candidates to be elected or appointed as probate judge if they are under 75 at the time of qualifying for the position. This change specifically affects individuals seeking the probate judge role in Walker County, not statewide judicial positions. The amendment requires voter approval after legislative passage to become part of Alabama's constitution.

Maddy summaryHB 364 requires doctors and nurse practitioners to discuss specific opioid risks with patients before prescribing an initial and third prescription for Schedule II opioids or opioid pain medications. The discussion must cover addiction risks, alternatives to opioids, dangers of mixing opioids with alcohol or sedatives, and dependence risks, with providers documenting this in medical records. It does not apply to cancer patients in active treatment, hospice/palliative care patients, long-term care residents, or those prescribed opioids for substance abuse treatment. The bill affects healthcare providers and patients receiving opioid prescriptions for acute or chronic pain, aiming to improve informed decision-making.

Maddy summaryHB 209 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Walker County residents aged 65+ to claim a property tax exemption on their primary residence. The exemption freezes the property's assessed value from the year before claiming it, applies only to single-family homes owned for at least five years, and requires written application between October 1-December 31, 2027. Homeowners must continue using the property as their primary residence to maintain the exemption, though millage rate changes and other exemptions remain unaffected. This amendment requires voter approval to become part of Alabama's constitution.