HB127 Alabama 2016 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Jim HillRepresentative
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2016
Title: Indigent Defense Advisory Boards, immunity for board members, annual meetings required, governing rules to be adopted by the Office of Indigent Defense Services, Sec. 15-12-4 am'd.
Summary: HB127 changes indigent defense advisory boards to meet annually, grants them civil immunity, and lets the Office of Indigent Defense Services set their rules.
What This Bill Does
HB127 would require five-member voluntary indigent defense advisory boards in each judicial circuit to meet at least once a year to analyze and determine indigent defense methods. It would provide civil immunity to actions taken by advisory board members, protecting them from civil damages unless there is willful or wanton misconduct. It would authorize the Office of Indigent Defense Services to adopt rules governing the boards' activities.

Who It Affects
Board members in each judicial circuit—now required to meet annually and protected from civil damages for actions taken in their official duties (except in cases of willful or wanton misconduct).
The Office of Indigent Defense Services—gains authority to adopt and enforce rules governing the advisory boards.

Key Provisions
Amends Section 15-12-4 to require annual meetings of the voluntary indigent defense advisory boards.
Provides civil immunity to advisory board members for actions taken as part of their duties, with exceptions for willful or wanton misconduct.
Authorizes the Office of Indigent Defense Services to adopt rules governing the activities of the advisory boards.
Affirms the board composition and terms (five members including the presiding circuit judge as chair, the president of the local circuit bar association, and three attorneys; one-year terms; vacancies filled by the presiding judge).

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