HB819 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

H. Mac Gipson

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Autauga Co., sheriff, work release program and board, established, audit, Act 419, 1975 Reg. Sess. repealed and superseded

Summary

Autauga County creates a work release program and board to supervise inmate work release, manage wages, and repeal conflicting laws.

What This Bill Does

The bill establishes the Autauga County Work Release Board to run the program and defines an Autauga County Work Release Fund. It allows eligible inmates to leave the county jail to work during their employment hours, with wages paid to the board. The board can use up to 40% of gross wages for confinement costs or designated law enforcement purposes, apply remaining funds to child support, credit the inmate’s account, and, with consent, provide funds to the inmate’s family; it must ensure wages meet prevailing wages, avoid displacing workers, and prohibit exploitation.

Who It Affects

• Inmates housed in the Autauga County Metro Jail who participate in the Work Release Program, including how their wages are handled, potential support for themselves and their families, and the requirement to meet employment conditions.
• Autauga County government entities (sheriff, board, county officials) and local employers participating in the program, with changes to wage handling, fund administration, oversight, and safety rules.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Autauga County Work Release Board composed of the county circuit clerk, chief jailer, and sheriff to supervise and administer the program and establish program rules.
• Establishes the Autauga County Work Release Fund into which wages paid by employers for participating inmates are deposited and administered by the board or the sheriff as designee.
• Allows the board to deduct up to 40 percent of an inmate's gross wages for confinement costs and for designated law enforcement purposes, with remaining funds allocated to other allowed uses.
• Authorizes disbursement of wages to pay court-ordered child support, credit the inmate’s Work Release Fund account, or, with the inmate’s written consent, transfer the remainder to the inmate’s family for support during confinement.
• Requires the board to seek employment opportunities that pay at least the prevailing wage, do not displace workers, do not exploit inmates, and prohibit strike-breaking.
• Makes noncompliance (escape-like behavior or failure to return on time) subject to penalties for escaped prisoners.
• Provides immunity from negligence claims for Autauga County officials and third parties involved in the program.
• Requires audit of the Work Release Fund by the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts and deposits pre-existing proceeds into the new fund.
• Repeals conflicting laws, including Act 419 of 1975, and makes the act effective immediately after approval.

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

Subjects

Autauga County