HB159 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ron Johnson

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Emergency telephone calls (911 calls), release of audio recording limited, release by court order under certain conditions, release to caller or for legal matter, authorized, written or electronic records considered a public writing

Summary

HB159 limits the release of 911 audio and makes related records public, with specific exceptions and affidavits for certain releases.

What This Bill Does

It generally restricts releasing 911 audio to a court order, but lists exceptions where release is allowed without a court order to people involved in the call or their legal representatives if an affidavit confirms involvement and purpose. It also allows the caller (or the caller’s estate or representative, if the caller is deceased or incapacitated) to obtain the audio without a court order under affidavit conditions. Additionally, written or electronic records about the 911 call kept by the emergency district become public writings eligible for public inspection, and transcripts can be provided for a fee. The act does not apply to law enforcement releases when the 911 call is part of an ongoing investigation, and the bill becomes effective immediately after approval.

Who It Affects

• Emergency communications districts and their staff, who manage 911 audio releases, handle affidavits, and provide transcripts under the new rules.
• Callers, their families or estates, and others involved in the facts of the 911 call or their legal representatives, who may receive audio or related records under specified affidavit conditions.

Key Provisions

• Audio recordings of 911 calls may not be released except by court order, unless an exception applies; law enforcement investigations may be exempt from the court-order requirement when relevant to the investigation.
• Audio may be released without a court order to any person involved in the facts or circumstances of the 911 call or to their legal representative for investigation/evidence, if an affidavit confirms involvement and purpose.
• The caller (whose voice is on the recording) or the caller’s estate/legal representative may receive the audio without a court order, when a sworn affidavit verifies identity and that release is pertinent to a legal matter arising from the call.
• Written or electronic records detailing the circumstances, response, or events related to a 911 call kept by the emergency district are public writings and subject to public inspection; transcripts of audio can be provided for a reasonable fee.
• All laws or parts of laws conflicting with this act are repealed.
• The act becomes effective immediately after its passage and approval by the Governor.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Telecommunications