SB543 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Steve French

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Larry DixonTom ButlerMyron PennWendell MitchellArthur OrrHinton MitchemQuinton RossHank SandersZeb LittleRodger SmithermanTrip PittmanBen H. BrooksJ.T. WaggonerVivian Davis Figures

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center Commission and the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center, members, operation, powers, duties, fees, crime of misuse of ACJIC information established, Alabama Statistical Analysis Center established, background checks by licensing agencies, interstate exchange of criminal history information, ratification of compact, penalties, Secs. 41-9-590, 41-9-591, 41-9-592, 41-9-594, 41-9-597, 41-9-600, 41-9-601, 41-9-621, 41-9-622, 41-9-623, 41-9-630 am'd. (2010-20820)

Summary

SB543 updates Alabama's criminal justice information system by expanding background checks, creating new data-sharing and privacy measures, establishing a state statistics center, and ratifying a national compact for criminal history information.

What This Bill Does

Creates the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center Commission and the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center (ACJIC) to operate a centralized system for collecting, storing, analyzing, and sharing crime and offender information, including interstate exchanges. Allows licensing agencies to conduct ACJIC background checks, sets fees (e.g., $25 for noncriminal checks; $15 for certain agency checks), and directs collected funds to specified state funds while clarifying local-funding requirements under Amendment 621. Ratifies the National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact, designates the director as the state compact officer, and establishes ACJIC as the repository and administrator for interstate and international sharing of criminal history information, with 24/7 operation and privacy safeguards.

Who It Affects

• Licensing agencies and educational institutions that would perform ACJIC background checks for employment or licensing and may charge and receive fees.
• Alabama residents and other individuals whose criminal history data will be collected, stored, and shared through ACJIC (including job/license applicants and people requesting access to their own records).

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center Commission and the ACJIC Center to operate statewide information systems for crime data and provide access to authorized agencies.
• Authorizes licensing agencies to conduct ACJIC background checks, sets fees (not to exceed $25 for securing records; other fees may apply for access to additional ACJIC information systems), and directs fee proceeds into the State Treasury to be divided among the CJIS Automation Fund, the Public Safety Special Revenue Fund, and the Court Automation Fund.
• Creates the crime of misuse of ACJIC information, with penalties including a Class B felony; fines of $5,000–$10,000 per offense and/or up to five years in prison, with each record considered a separate offense.
• Authorizes interstate exchange of criminal history information and ratifies the National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact; ACJIC serves as the state repository and the director or designee acts as the state compact officer; ACJIC may operate 24/7 and share data with federal and international partners.
• Establishes the Alabama Statistical Analysis Center within ACJIC to compile and publish crime statistics (without identifying individuals) and provide data to the Governor, Legislature, judiciary, and other agencies; access under need-to-know and security controls.
• Implements privacy and security measures, including a Privacy and Security Committee to study sharing implications and recommend policies; requires data access to conform to National Crime Information Center standards and other applicable rules.
• Designates ACJIC peace officers with statewide police power to enforce laws related to ACJIC operations and assist other agencies upon request.
• Requires agencies to report fingerprints, descriptions, photographs, and other identifying data for felonies, specified misdemeanors, and delinquency/youthful offender matters to ACJIC; allows licensing rules under Section 2 to require background checks via ACJIC; Section 4 notes Amendment 621 exemptions due to new crime creation; and Section 5 provides the act’s effective date.

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

Subjects

Criminal Justice Information Center