SJR8 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Session

Second Special Session 2015

Title

Legislature, Alabama Blue Ribbon BiPartisan Juvenile Justice Reform Task Force, created

Summary

SJR8 creates a bipartisan task force to study juvenile justice and recommend legislative reforms, with the group dissolved after reporting in 2016.

What This Bill Does

It establishes the Alabama Blue Ribbon Bipartisan Juvenile Justice Reform Task Force with members from the Senate and House Judiciary Committees, plus nonlegislative appointees, designed to reflect the state's diversity. The task force will study causes of juvenile incarceration and potential legislative solutions on topics like court procedures, sentencing, data, policies, length of stay, community programs, recidivism, and alternative drug court sentencing. It must report its findings and recommendations to the Permanent Joint Legislative Prison Committee by the 15th day of the 2016 Regular Session, at which point the task force is dissolved. Nonlegislative members may be reimbursed for expenses; legislative members receive regular compensation, per diem, and travel expenses, with clerical support provided as needed.

Who It Affects

• Group 1: Legislators on the Senate and House Judiciary Committees (and the nonlegislative task force appointees) who participate in the task force and may receive compensation or reimbursements for their work.
• Group 2: Juveniles and Alabama communities whose policies and practices regarding juvenile incarceration could be affected by any recommendations or legislation resulting from the task force's study.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Alabama Blue Ribbon Bipartisan Juvenile Justice Reform Task Force.
• Specifies membership: Chair of the Senate Committee on Judiciary; two Senate members; two nonlegislative Senate appointees; Chair of the House Judiciary Committee; two House members; two nonlegislative House appointees; with emphasis on diverse representation.
• Directs the task force to study causes and potential legislative solutions related to juvenile incarceration, including juvenile court procedures and sentencing, crime/arrest data, court policies, felony and parole policies, admissions and length of stay, community center programs, recidivism, and alternative drug court sentencing.
• Requires a final report of findings and recommendations to the Permanent Joint Legislative Prison Committee by the 15th day of the 2016 Regular Session; the task force is dissolved after reporting.
• Provides for reimbursements of nonlegislative members and compensation/travel for legislative members; authorizes clerical assistance for the task force.

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

Subjects

Resolutions, Legislative