SB162 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bill Holtzclaw

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Tom WhatleyPhillip W. WilliamsBryan Taylor

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Veterans, treatment courts, specialized dockets for veterans, Chief Justice authorized to establ. funding authorized

Summary

SB162 would create veterans' treatment courts and authorize the Chief Justice to establish them, with funding activities supported by the Administrative Office of Courts.

What This Bill Does

It adds a new Chapter 26 to Title 12 to establish specialized dockets for criminal cases involving veterans and active-duty service members. The Chief Justice can create these courts and the Supreme Court can set rules to run them. The Administrative Office of Courts may seek federal funding and enter agreements with other agencies to provide treatment and services, with funds dedicated to this purpose.

Who It Affects

• Veterans and active-duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces who are defendants in eligible criminal cases (potential participants in the veterans' treatment courts).
• Administrative Office of Courts and the Alabama Supreme Court (responsible for establishing and overseeing the program).
• Treatment providers and social services agencies contracted to deliver treatment and related services to participants.
• State departments and agencies that collaborate to provide treatment and support services and possibly provide financial or other assistance.

Key Provisions

• Creates Chapter 26 in Title 12 to authorize the Chief Justice to establish veterans' treatment courts and to seek funding.
• Defines a veterans' treatment court as a specialized sentencing docket for veterans or active-duty members, designed to enable access to treatment rather than provide direct court-based treatment.
• Allows the Chief Justice to establish the courts and for the Supreme Court to adopt necessary administrative orders and rules of practice and procedure.
• Authorizes the Administrative Office of Courts to seek federal funding and to enter contracts or agreements with departments and agencies to provide treatment and social services; requires collaboration and potential financial support from those agencies.
• Specifies funds received are continuously appropriated for the purposes of this chapter and that conflicting laws are repealed; the act becomes effective immediately after governor approval.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

Courts