SB363 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rodger SmithermanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Alabama Private Investigation Regulatory Act, private investigator, fees clarified, qualifications, licensing, procedure and fee to reinstate inactive licenses, increase number of hours for continuing education, Secs. 34-25B-4, 34-25B-7, 34-25B-11, 34-25B-12, 34-25B-13, 34-25B-17, 34-25B-18, 34-25B-21, 34-25B-22, 34-25B-26 am'd.

Summary

SB 363 updates Alabama's Private Investigation regulatory act to clarify fees, strengthen licensure with background checks, allow inactive licenses with reinstatement rules, and add reporting and education requirements.

What This Bill Does

It clarifies which fees go into the Board of Private Investigation Fund and how they’re used. It strengthens licensure by expanding qualifications and requiring criminal history background checks. It authorizes the board to grant inactive status to licensees and establish a reinstatement process and fee. It adds enforcement tools, including penalties for practicing without a license, a 72-hour arrest-reporting requirement for licensees, and a 16-hour continuing education requirement over the two-year license period.

Who It Affects

• Licensed private investigators in Alabama: face new or expanded requirements (background checks, arrest reporting within 72 hours, ongoing continuing education) and possible inactive/reinstatement procedures.
• People applying for private investigator licenses: must meet stricter qualifications (age, mental competency, criminal history, exams) and will face clarified application and renewal fees.

Key Provisions

• Clarifies that certain fees collected by the board are deposited into the Alabama Private Investigation Fund and used only for board operations.
• Adds and clarifies licensure qualifications and requires criminal history background checks for applicants.
• Authorizes the board to grant inactive status to licensees and to establish a reinstatement procedure and fee by rule.
• Establishes disciplinary tools including suspension, revocation, civil penalties (up to $2,000 per violation), and fines for unlicensed practice.
• Requires licensees to report arrests to the board within 72 hours.
• Sets continuing education at 16 hours over the two-year license period and requires ethics-focused content, with rules to carry out the requirement.
• Boards' composition is to reflect diversity of the state, with terms and appointment provisions for its members.
• Confidentiality of license applications is maintained, and renewal processes include late fees and related administration.

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

Subjects

Private Investigators