SB67 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ben H. Brooks

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Clay ScofieldPhillip W. WilliamsBill HoltzclawPaul BussmanDick BrewbakerGreg J. ReedScott BeasonRusty GloverPaul SanfordBryan Taylor

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Driving under the influence, and driving under the influence with child present in vehicle, penalties for offenders with .15 percent alcohol increased, revocation of driver's license under certain conditions, Sec. 32-5A-191 am'd.

Summary

SB67 tightens Alabama's DUI penalties by doubling minimum punishments for high BAC and for cases with a child in the vehicle, and adds mandatory jail time, license suspensions, and treatment requirements.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends Section 32-5A-191 to require at least double the minimum punishment for DUI when blood alcohol content is 0.15% or higher, along with a minimum one-year jail sentence for a misdemeanor and a minimum one-year revocation of driving privileges. If the offender is over 21 and a child under 14 is in the vehicle, the minimum punishment must be doubled. It also outlines specific penalties for first through fourth-plus offenses, and adds requirements for DUI/substance abuse court referral programs and treatment, with the Department of Public Safety enforcing license actions and ensuring program completion before reissuing a license.

Who It Affects

• DUI offenders in Alabama (all ages) – face higher penalties, including doubled minimum punishment for 0.15%+ BAC, a minimum one-year jail sentence for misdemeanors, and at least a one-year license revocation, with harsher penalties for repeat offenses and when a child under 14 is in the vehicle.
• Drivers in specific categories and related agencies – includes under-21 drivers (0.02% BAC threshold), school bus/day care drivers (0.02%), and commercial drivers (0.04%); also affects license suspensions, mandatory court referrals, treatment requirements, and how fines and funds are distributed and used.

Key Provisions

• Provision 1: Amends 32-5A-191 to require at least double the minimum punishment for a DUI with 0.15%+ blood alcohol content, plus a minimum one-year jail sentence for a misdemeanor and a minimum one-year revocation of driving privileges.
• Provision 2: If the offender is over 21 and there is a child under 14 in the vehicle, the minimum punishment must be doubled.
• Provision 3: Establishes offense-by-offense penalties (first, second, third, and fourth-or-subsequent) with increasing fines, jail time (including mandatory sentences), and license revocations; fourth-or-subsequent offenses can be a Class C felony with additional penalties and a five-year license revocation.
• Provision 4: Adds mandatory DUI/substance abuse court referral and treatment requirements, requires completion of the program before reissuing a license, and outlines how fines may be allocated to state funds and related DUI-related funds; also includes related enforcement and release provisions.

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

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses