HB258 Alabama 2012 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Randy Davis
Republican
Co-Sponsors: Victor Gaston Mike Ball Chad Fincher Jim McClendon Phil Williams Micky Hammon Alan Boothe K.L. Brown
Session: Regular Session 2012
Title: Crimes and Offenses, prisoners, prohibition against use of social networks
Summary: HB258 would ban inmates in Alabama correctional facilities from creating or maintaining social media accounts, with penalties for violations.
What This Bill Does
The bill prohibits inmates in the Department of Corrections and city or county jails from establishing or maintaining accounts on Internet-based social networking websites. It defines what counts as a social networking website (profiles/pages and interactive communication). Violators, including inmates or others who work with inmates, would be guilty of a misdemeanor and fined up to $500. The act becomes law on the first day of the third month after it is passed and approved, and it notes that it creates a new crime, which affects how it interacts with certain constitutional expenditure requirements.

Who It Affects
Inmates in the custody of Alabama's Department of Corrections or in city/county jails—cannot create or maintain social networking accounts.
People working with inmates (e.g., corrections staff or others involved with inmates) who violate the prohibition—could be charged with a misdemeanor and fined up to $500.

Key Provisions
Prohibition: No inmate shall establish or maintain an account on any Internet-based social networking website.
Definition: A social networking website is an Internet site that allows users to create profiles and provides communication among users (forums, chat rooms, email, instant messaging).
Penalty: Violators (inmates or others working with inmates) are guilty of a misdemeanor and may be fined up to $500.
Effective date and constitutional note: The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval; the bill notes it creates a new crime and is exempt from certain local-funding expenditure requirements.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Crimes and Offenses