HB191 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris EnglandRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Mental Health, involuntary commitment, Commissioner of Department of Mental Health required to place defendant in Alabama Security Medical Facility under certain conditions, commissioner prohibited from transferring defendant without obtaining leave from the court, Sec. 15-16-43 am'd.

Summary

A court can order a mentally ill defendant who poses a real and present threat to be placed in the Alabama Security Medical Facility, and transfers from that facility would require court permission.

What This Bill Does

After a final hearing, the court can order placement of a mentally ill defendant who poses a real and present threat into the Alabama Security Medical Facility. If placed there, the commissioner may not transfer the defendant to another facility without leave from the court that ordered placement. If the court does not make such a finding, the defendant must be released.

Who It Affects

• Mentally ill defendants who are found to pose a real and present threat and may be placed in the Alabama Security Medical Facility by court order.
• The Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Mental Health (and the department) who must obtain court permission before transferring such a defendant to another facility.

Key Provisions

• Allows the court to order placement of a mentally ill defendant in the Alabama Security Medical Facility in certain cases.
• Requires the Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Mental Health to obtain leave from the court before transferring the placed defendant to any other facility.
• If the court does not find the required mental illness/threat, the defendant must be released.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after it passes and is approved by the Governor.

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

Subjects

Mental Health