SB416 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Bryan TaylorClay ScofieldPhillip W. WilliamsBill HoltzclawDick BrewbakerShadrack McGillRusty GloverGerald H. AllenTom Whatley

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Crimes and Offenses, prisoners, prohibition against use of social networks

Summary

SB416 would ban inmates from creating or maintaining internet-based social networking accounts and would prohibit others from doing so on an inmate's behalf, with a misdemeanor penalty for violators.

What This Bill Does

It would prohibit inmates in the Department of Corrections from establishing or maintaining any Internet-based social networking account. It defines what counts as a social networking website and makes violations a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $500 fine. It also notes the bill is exempt from certain local-funding requirements and specifies when the act would take effect.

Who It Affects

• Inmates in the Alabama Department of Corrections: barred from having social networking accounts and subject to misdemeanor penalties if they violate the rule.
• People or organizations that would set up or maintain a social networking site for an inmate: prohibited from doing so on behalf of an inmate.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits inmates from establishing or maintaining an Internet-based social networking account; defines social networking website and imposes a misdemeanor penalty (up to $500) for inmates who violate.
• Excludes the bill from local-funding approval requirements under Amendment 621 because it creates or amends a crime; sets the act to take effect on the first day of the third month after passage and governor's 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

Crimes and Offenses