SB107 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Courts, court-ordered treatment or education programs for alcohol or drug-related offenses, judge to decide level of education program defendant completes, Sec. 12-23-6 am'd.

Summary

SB107 lets Alabama judges decide which level of an Administrative Office of Courts–certified alcohol and drug education program a defendant must complete when they are not sent directly to treatment.

What This Bill Does

The bill requires courts to use a court referral program for defendants with alcohol or drug offenses. If a defendant isn’t referred directly to treatment, they must complete an alcohol and drug education program certified by the Administrative Office of Courts. The judge would decide the level of that education program the defendant must complete. The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Defendants charged with alcohol or drug offenses who are not directly referred to treatment, who would be required to complete a level of an AOC-certified education program.
• Judges and the Administrative Office of Courts, where judges gain authority to determine the program level and the AOC provides certification for the education programs.

Key Provisions

• Courts must refer eligible defendants to a court referral program for evaluation and referral to appropriate education and/or treatment.
• If not referred directly to treatment, the defendant must complete an alcohol and drug education program certified by the Administrative Office of Courts.
• The judge may order which level of the AOC-certified education program the defendant shall complete.
• Education programs used must be certified by the Administrative Office of Courts.
• The act takes effect on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

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

Subjects

Courts