SB489 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Clay Scofield

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Sex offenders, residency requirements, prohibit residence within 2,000 feet of a camp facility used by children, Sec. 15-20A-11 am'd.

Summary

This bill expands residency restrictions for adult sex offenders by banning living within 2,000 feet of resident camp facilities for minors, in addition to existing bans near schools and childcare facilities.

What This Bill Does

If passed, adult sex offenders would not be allowed to establish or maintain a residence within 2,000 feet of property that hosts resident camp facilities for minors. It also tightens rules around living near a former victim’s residence or that of an immediate family member of the victim, and it adds specific conditions about living with a minor and when a residence is considered established. The bill defines what counts as a resident camp facility and sets penalties for violations as a Class C felony, with an effective date tied to gubernatorial approval.

Who It Affects

• Adult sex offenders: prohibited from living within 2,000 feet of resident camp facilities for minors, and subject to stricter living-with-minor and proximity rules.
• Residents camp facilities (owners, operators, and organizations hosting minors): affected by distance restrictions and enforcement rules; must coordinate with law enforcement and comply with proximity limits.
• Victims and immediate family members of victims: receive an expanded protection by restricting where offenders can live relative to their residence.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits an adult sex offender from establishing or maintaining a residence within 2,000 feet of the property where a resident camp facility for minors is located.
• Defines 'resident camp facility' as places with sleeping facilities used for minors for educational, recreational, or religious purposes, owned by a business, church, or nonprofit, and reported to local law enforcement; excludes private residences, farms, hunting, and fishing camps.
• Adds prohibition on living within 2,000 feet of the offender's former victim's residence or the immediate family member's residence of the victim, with exemptions.
• Specifies that changes to property within 2,000 feet after residency does not create a violation.
• Restricts living with a minor unless certain family relationships apply and specific conditions are met (e.g., limits on cases involving prior offenses or related restrictions).
• Provides that an offender is considered established at a location under several scenarios (three or more consecutive days, etc.).
• Exempts offenders from these restrictions when admitted to a hospital or placed in custodial facilities where unsupervised public access is not allowed.
• Sets the penalty for violating these provisions as a Class C felony.
• Effective date: the first day of the third month after passage and approval 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

Sex Offenders