SB304 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Phillip W. Williams

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Alabama Justice Information Center, duties and responsibilities, ratify Crime Prevention Act compact, authorize commission to adopt rules and set fees for ALEA to do background checks for noncriminal purposes, Secs. 41-9-650 to 41-9-652, inclusive, added; Secs. 41-9-597, 41-9-622, 41-9-629 repealed; Secs. 41-9-590 to 41-9-595, inclusive, 41-9-621, 41-9-623, 41-9-625, 41-9-637 am'd.

Summary

SB 304 updates Alabama's justice information system, expands ALEA's role in a national privacy compact, and lets non-criminal background checks be conducted with a fee.

What This Bill Does

It clarifies and renames the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center Commission to the Alabama Justice Information Commission, and sets out its operation and duties. It designates ALEA as the CJIS System Agency and the NLETS System Agency to manage data exchange and enforcement of related rules. It authorizes ALEA to charge a $25 background-check fee for non-criminal-justice purposes, with revenues funding public safety record improvements. It adds new sections to ratify the National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact, allow licensing agencies to require background checks, and establish procedures for interstate sharing of criminal history information.

Who It Affects

• State law enforcement and information-management entities (ALEA and the Alabama Justice Information Commission) which gain updated governance, expanded responsibilities, and authority to implement the compact and collect background-check fees.
• Educational institutions (including medical programs) and licensing bodies that may require background checks for employment or licensing, as well as probate courts and the general public, who may have background checks performed and CHRI shared under the new rules.

Key Provisions

• Technical revisions to clarify operation, powers, and duties of the Alabama Justice Information Commission and rename it to the Alabama Justice Information Commission.
• ALEA designated as CJIS System Agency and NLETS System Agency, with authority to enforce related data-sharing rules and oversee the information system.
• Authorize ALEA to charge a $25 background-check fee for non-criminal-justice purposes; fee proceeds deposited into the Public Safety Fund to support improvements to criminal history records.
• Add Sections 41-9-650 to 41-9-652: licensing/background-check requirements by licensing agencies; CHRI sharing for name changes/adoptions; ratification of the National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact; ALEA as compact repository; and procedures for interstate data exchange.

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

Subjects

Alabama Justice Information Center