SB296 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Sex offenders, notification and registration, comprehensive procedure for registration by adult and juvenile sex offenders, notification by law enforcement, employment and residency limited, registration fees authorized, Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Act, Secs. 13A-11-200, 13A-11-201, 13A-11-202, 15-20-1 to 15-20-38, inclusive, repealed (2011-21017)

Summary

SB296 creates a comprehensive, lifetime sex offender registration and community notification system in Alabama, replacing the old law and adding strict rules on where offenders can live, work, and go to school.

What This Bill Does

It establishes a new, statewide registration and notification act for adults and juveniles convicted of sex offenses, including a public registry and frequent in-person verification. Adults face lifetime registration and broad residency and employment restrictions, while juveniles face tailored registration durations, risk assessments, and possible relief options. The bill also imposes electronic monitoring for certain offenders, requires various reporting and notification duties by law enforcement, and sets fees to support enforcement and services.

Who It Affects

• Adult sex offenders: required to register for life, follow strict residency and employment rules near schools and facilities serving children, and participate in regular in-person verifications and potential electronic monitoring.
• Juvenile (and youthful offender) sex offenders: subject to registration/notification with durations based on offense, mandatory treatment and risk assessments, and potential relief petitions; requires parent/guardian involvement and long-term record-keeping.

Key Provisions

• Repeals older Alabama sex offender registration and notification laws and creates the Alabama Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Act.
• Defines adult, juvenile, youthful offender, and sexually violent predator categories and sets registration and monitoring requirements, including life-time registration for adults and varying durations for juveniles based on offense.
• Requires comprehensive registration information (name, date of birth, SSN, addresses, school, employer, vehicle info, fingerprints, DNA, photos, etc.) and stores it electronically on a public registry with searchable capabilities.
• Imposes residency restrictions (typically 2,000 feet from schools/childcare facilities and other protections near victims) and employment restrictions near places serving children; includes loitering prohibitions and specific rules for minors.
• Mandates in-person registration and quarterly verification, travel permits, and reporting of changes in residence, employment, or school; homeless offenders have special reporting requirements.
• Establishes electronic monitoring for sexually violent predators and certain offenses, with cost-sharing and penalties for tampering.
• Creates community notification duties for local law enforcement, plus victim notification rights and information-sharing with state and federal agencies.
• Imposes filing and other fees (e.g., 10 per quarterly registration, 200 filing fee for relief petitions) and outlines how funds are distributed to agencies and programs.
• Provides relief procedures for residency and employment restrictions, and for juvenile offenders after specified periods, with court processes and notice requirements.

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

Subjects

Sex Offenders