SB42 Alabama 2019 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Cam Ward
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2019
Title: Criminal procedure, pardons and paroles, violent offenses, Sec. 15-22-27.4 added; Secs. 15-22-27.3, 15-22-28 am'd.
Summary: SB 42 would require 85% of a sentence to be served before parole for certain violent offenses and would bar parole for certain child-sex offenses, with added technical revisions.
What This Bill Does
It adds a new provision that murder, first-degree rape, first-degree sodomy, sexual torture, first-degree sexual abuse, or first-degree human trafficking offenders must serve 85% of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole. It also changes parole rules so that those convicted of sex offenses involving a child (Class A or B felonies) are not eligible for parole. It maintains a board-based parole process but makes clear the 85% rule applies notwithstanding current rules and updates procedures through technical revisions to the board and Department of Corrections. It becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

Who It Affects
Defendants convicted of murder, first-degree rape, first-degree sodomy, sexual torture, first-degree sexual abuse, or first-degree human trafficking (they would be eligible for parole only after 85% of their sentence).
Defendants convicted of sex offenses involving a child (Class A or B felonies) (they would not be eligible for parole).
The Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles and the Department of Corrections (they would have revised procedures for investigations, reporting, temporary leaves, and parole decisions).

Key Provisions
Adds 15-22-27.4 requiring 85% of sentence served before parole eligibility for murder, first-degree rape, first-degree sodomy, sexual torture, first-degree sexual abuse, or first-degree human trafficking.
Amends 15-22-27.3 to add that any person convicted of a sex offense involving a child (Class A or B felony) shall not be eligible for parole.
Amends 15-22-28 to describe board investigations using validated risk/needs assessments, required cooperation from the Department of Corrections, and the rule that parole decisions are by majority vote; and notes technical revisions.
Effective date: becomes law 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: Pardons and Paroles