SB1 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim McClendon

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Driving under the influence, ignition interlock devices, further provided, distrib of court fees, use for pretrial diversion, indigents further provided for and funded, Sec. 32-5A-191, 32-5A-191.4 am'd.

Summary

SB1 expands ignition interlock use for DUI offenses, creates indigent funding for interlock services, and tightens penalties and fees in Alabama.

What This Bill Does

Expands ignition interlock requirements to more DUI offenses and imposes longer license suspensions and mandatory interlock use for repeat offenders. Creates the Alabama Ignition Interlock Indigent Fund, requires providers to serve indigent defendants, sets audits and penalties for noncompliance, and distributes funds to several state and local programs. Adds new court and license fees related to interlock use (including a $200 conviction-related fee and ongoing monthly/interlock costs) with specific distribution rules to funds and agencies. Authorizes pretrial diversion to require interlock for at least six months and allows such diversion to stay or commute license suspensions upon successful completion. Includes access safeguards (no mandatory interlock if no certified provider within 50 miles) and a five-year sunset on certain provisions with other provisions remaining longer.

Who It Affects

• DUI offenders under sections 32-5A-191 and 32-5A-191.4, who would face expanded interlock requirements, longer suspensions, and additional penalties.
• Indigent defendants, who may receive interlock services funded by the new Interlock Indigent Fund and related provisions.
• Ignition interlock providers and device manufacturers, who must provide indigent services, pay fees, and comply with rules and audits.
• Courts, district attorneys, and municipalities, which handle new fees and distributions to various funds and administer interlock-related court requirements.

Key Provisions

• Amends 32-5A-191 to require ignition interlock use and set penalties for first, second, third, and subsequent DUI offenses, with increasingly longer license suspensions and mandatory interlock periods (e.g., 1st offense: possible 90-day suspension; 2nd: 1-year revocation and 2-year interlock; 3rd: 3-year revocation and 3-year interlock; 4th+: felony penalties and 4-year interlock).
• Adds doubling rules if blood alcohol is 0.15%+ and requires ignition interlock for certain offenses to begin upon conviction, with proof of installation required for license restriction and possible probation consequences for noncompliance.
• Creates the Alabama Ignition Interlock Indigent Fund and imposes a new funding structure: providers must contribute a portion of payments; funds are used to reimburse indigent interlock services and support related programs (Highway Traffic Safety Fund, Chemical Testing Fund, etc.).
• Imposes new court-imposed and post-conviction fees (e.g., a $200 court fee after conviction; $75 monthly interlock-related fee for up to four months; additional costs for installation and service) with specified distribution rules to state, county, and municipal funds.
• Establishes detailed rules for ignition interlock providers, including training, calibration, reporting, and enforcement, and clarifies that liability for device issues is limited absent misconduct.
• Adds pretrial diversion provisions requiring interlock for at least six months and allowing diversion outcomes to stay or be used to commute license suspensions, subject to court orders and indigency considerations.
• Requires proof of interlock installation for license reinstatement and restricts operation to vehicles equipped with working interlocks; provides 50-mile availability guardrail for providers and sunset provisions for some sections.

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