Maddy summarySB 78 prohibits the possession, use, or sale of specific inhalant products - including butyl nitrite ("whippets"), nitrous oxide ("laughing gas"), and amyl nitrite ("poppers" or "snappers") - except for medical, industrial, or food-related purposes. It classifies unlawful possession as a Class A misdemeanor and unlawful sale as a Class D felony. The law exempts licensed medical facilities, manufacturers, and uses like nitrous oxide in food preparation or automotive applications (for those 21+), but flavored products create a presumption against these exceptions. This bill directly affects the general public by criminalizing recreational use of these inhalants while allowing limited legal access for specific professional or medical needs.
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Maddy summarySB 189 would extend death benefits to survivors of volunteer firefighters who die from cancer, closing a gap in current law that only covers paid firefighters. To qualify, the firefighter must have passed a pre-certification cancer-free exam, served at least six years, been actively involved in a recognized fire department, and the department must document exposure to cancer-causing substances during service. The bill presumes work-related cancer if a known carcinogen exposure is linked to the cancer type, shifting the burden to the state to prove otherwise. This policy change, effective October 2025, aligns volunteer firefighter benefits with existing provisions for paid first responders under Alabama law.
Maddy summarySB 188 lowers the threshold amounts for certain Fentanyl-related drug offenses in Alabama. It changes the crime of "unlawful possession with intent to distribute" to apply when someone possesses *more than 0.5 grams but less than 1 gram* of Fentanyl, its analogues, or mixtures containing Fentanyl and the precursor ANPP. For "trafficking in illegal drugs," it lowers the threshold from 1 gram of pure Fentanyl to any mixture containing Fentanyl, its analogues, or Fentanyl mixed with ANPP. This bill directly affects individuals possessing these specific quantities of Fentanyl-related substances, making lower amounts trigger felony charges under current law. The changes amend Alabama Code Sections 13A-12-211 and 13A-12-231.
Maddy summarySB 79 defines key sex-based terms (like "male," "female," and "sex") in Alabama law based on biological sex observed at birth, excluding intersex conditions as a third sex. It requires state agencies and public entities collecting vital statistics (such as birth, death, or health data) to record an individual's sex as male or female based on biological sex at birth, with limited exceptions for medical uncertainty. The bill also states that public entities may establish separate single-sex spaces (like restrooms or sports teams) when safety, privacy, or fairness based on biological sex are involved. This law applies to all state laws classifying individuals by sex and takes effect on October 1, 2025.
Maddy summarySB 105 establishes Alabama's Rural Hospital Investment Program, creating state tax credits for individuals and businesses that donate to eligible rural hospitals. These tax credits (for income, excise, premium, and utility taxes) allow donors to offset their state tax liability, with funds directed to hospitals for acute care services, facility maintenance, and operational costs. To qualify, hospitals must be rural general acute care, critical access, or rural emergency facilities serving Medicare/Medicaid patients and located in federally defined rural areas. The program is managed by a new board within the State Treasurer’s office, which verifies hospital eligibility and coordinates with the Department of Revenue.
Maddy summarySB 74 requires Alabama's State Board of Education to create an annual cyber safety program for public middle and high schools, focusing on internet safety, cyberbullying, and sexting. The program must cover Alabama laws, risks of sharing images (like permanent digital copies), mental health impacts, and reporting resources, delivered by school resource officers. It mandates specific curriculum content, including how sexting can lead to legal consequences under child pornography laws and how to access support services. Local school boards must implement the program starting October 1, 2025, following state board rules.
Maddy summarySB 75 amends Alabama's theft statute to specifically make it a crime to knowingly take mail or shipped items intended for another person, with the intent to deprive them of the property. This directly affects individuals who steal packages or mail from porches, mailboxes, or delivery points, while protecting the intended recipients. The key provision adds a new subsection (5) to the theft law, explicitly criminalizing unauthorized control over mailed or shipped items. The bill becomes effective October 1, 2025, if passed.
Maddy summarySB 26 exempts Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Inc. from paying state, county, and municipal sales and use taxes. The bill directly affects this specific nonprofit organization by removing its tax obligations for qualifying purchases. It takes effect on September 1, 2025, and is a targeted exemption rather than a broad policy change. The bill is currently pending committee review in the Alabama Senate.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates the Department of Corrections by renaming its Investigation and Intelligence Division to the Investigation and Intelligence Law Enforcement Services Division. It formally classifies correctional canine units as state law enforcement officers, granting them full police powers and jurisdiction to investigate crimes within prisons and involving inmates or staff. The legislation also requires these officers and their supervisors to display badges during arrests and adhere to existing minimum training standards for state law enforcement. Additionally, the bill includes minor technical edits to modernize the legal language used in the state code.
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