HB537 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Kerry Rich

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Community Correction Centers, inmates, work release, to obtain an Inmate In Paid Employment Driver's License, under certain conditions

Summary

HB537 would let eligible inmates in work-release or community correction centers obtain a special Inmate In Paid Employment Driver's License to drive to and from paid work.

What This Bill Does

It allows eligible inmates in work-release or community correction centers who have paid employment to apply for and receive an Inmate In Paid Employment Driver's License. The license is issued by the Department of Public Safety, lets them drive to and from their job (and during work hours), and costs $20 per year; 10% of their take-home pay must go into a center account to help pay for reinstating a regular license. Eligibility requires no disqualifying crimes, six months of demonstrated stability, assignment to community custody, and written authorization from center leadership to drive.

Who It Affects

• Inmates in work-release or community correction centers who have paid employment, who may apply for and receive the license if they meet the criteria.
• The Alabama Department of Public Safety and the work-release/community correction centers, which issue the license, collect the $20 fee, manage documentation and secure storage, and deposit funds into the state General Fund.

Key Provisions

• Eligible inmates must be assigned to a work release or community correction center, have paid employment, not have specified serious crimes, have six months of demonstrated stability, and have a favorable driving record prior to incarceration; they must be eligible for reinstatement of a regular license except for fees.
• The license authorizes driving to and from paid employment and during employment, is issued by the Department of Public Safety without regular driver's license reinstatement fees, and costs $20 for a one-year term (renewable while in good standing).
• Ten percent of the inmate's take-home pay must be deposited into a special center account to cover future regular license reinstatement costs.
• The center director or designee must authorize driving in writing, hand the license to the inmate before departure, ensure it is returned on return, and document each transfer.
• The act repeals conflicting laws and becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

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

Subjects

Community Correction Centers