HB499 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Earl F. Hilliard

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Oliver RobinsonMary MooreMerika ColemanJohn W. RogersRod ScottLawrence McAdory

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Jefferson Co., criminal sex offenders, only one adult or juvenile sex offender may reside in a residence, only one adult may reside in an apartment complex under certain conditions, civil penalties, exceptions

Summary

HB499 would limit where sex offenders can live in Jefferson County, with penalties for landlords who allow violations and specific exceptions.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the bill restricts housing for adult and unrelated juvenile sex offenders so that no residence or living area in a residence can have another offender on the county list; in apartment complexes, only one adult offender may live there unless each offender’s unit is at least 100 yards from others. Property owners or lessees who knowingly permit violations face a civil penalty of $5,000 per violation, with penalties split between two local sex-offender units. There are exceptions for spouses or children of the owner/lessee, and lease applications can include a signed statement that the lessee is not a convicted sex offender; the law applies only in Jefferson County and would take effect after a set date following passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Adult and unrelated juvenile sex offenders in Jefferson County, who would be restricted from residing with other offenders and from living in certain apartment complexes unless the distance rule is met.
• Property owners, landlords, and lessees in Jefferson County, who could face $5,000 civil penalties for allowing violations.
• Tenants and lessees in Jefferson County apartment complexes, who may be limited in where they can live relative to other offenders.
• Spouses or children of owners/lessees, who are exempt from violation under certain circumstances.
• Law enforcement units (Birmingham Police Department Sex Offender Unit and Jefferson County Sheriff's Department Sex Offender Unit), which receive penalties collected under the bill.

Key Provisions

• Section 2(a): No adult or unrelated juvenile sex offender may establish residence where another offender already listed by the Jefferson County Sheriff resides.
• Section 2(b): No more than one adult sex offender may reside in an apartment complex unless there is a distance of 100 yards or more from the residence of any other adult offender in the complex.
• Section 2(c): The property owner/lessee who knowingly permits a violation faces a civil penalty of $5,000 per violation, with penalties distributed equally to the Birmingham Police Department Sex Offender Unit and the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department Sex Offender Unit.
• Section 2(d): Exempts violations when the offender is the spouse or child of the owner/lessee, or if the spouse/child is the owner/lessee of the property.
• Section 2(e): Lease applications or leases may include a signed statement by the lessee that they are not a convicted sex offender; this protects the owner/lessee from violation under the lease terms.
• Section 1: The act applies only in Jefferson County.
• Section 3: The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval (or when otherwise law).

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

Subjects

Jefferson County