HB162 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim HillRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Community punishment and corrections, to require every judicial circuit to establish a community punishment and corrections program, Sec. 15-18-187 added; Secs. 15-18-172, 15-18-176 am'd.

Summary

HB 162 would require every judicial circuit in Alabama to establish a community punishment and corrections program in at least one county, with funding, implementation, and oversight rules to support participation and reduce recidivism.

What This Bill Does

Requires each judicial circuit to have a community punishment and corrections program in at least one county (by January 1, 2021; if a circuit lacks one, the presiding judge selects a county in consultation with the county commissions). It updates funding, administration, and inmate assignment rules, allowing state inmates to participate under approval and making parole unavailable for participants in these programs. It also creates a performance-based funding framework tied to treatment services (including behavioral health and substance abuse treatment) and requires risk-based, individualized treatment plans with collaboration among state agencies and the Governor’s Office; participation is voluntary and counties can withdraw under certain conditions.

Who It Affects

• Judicial circuits: must establish a community punishment and corrections program in at least one county within the circuit.
• County commissions and nonprofit entities: may establish or support CP&C programs; presiding judges may select counties if none exist and funding decisions may require county approval.
• State inmates and local offenders: may be assigned to CP&C programs and may participate if approved by the department and the sentencing judge; assigned inmates are not eligible for parole while in the program.
• Probationers and parolees under supervision: eligible for program-related treatment and supervision funded under the plan.
• State agencies (DOC, Board of Pardons and Paroles, Veterans Affairs, Public Health, Mental Health) and Governor’s Office: will collaborate to provide behavioral health and substance abuse treatment services and oversee funding approaches.
• Veterans and servicemen: programs must include services and may reference Veterans Treatment Courts as alternatives.

Key Provisions

• Section 15-18-187 requires a community punishment and corrections program in every judicial circuit beginning January 1, 2021; if a circuit does not have one, the presiding judge, with county commission input, selects a county to establish it; nonprofit programs may still be formed.
• Amendments to Sections 15-18-172 and 15-18-176 authorize counties or nonprofit entities to establish CP&C programs, set maximum participant numbers, outline start-up and maintenance funding, and grant the department authority to contract with counties or nonprofits for costs and services.
• The department will promulgate rules, define state inmate participation conditions, and address assignment of inmates to programs across counties or circuits with judge approval.
• Funding provisions include a performance-based reimbursement plan, with higher rates for programs that include behavioral health and substance abuse treatment; requires interagency collaboration and a focus on reducing recidivism.
• Applications for funding must require risk-based, individualized supervision and treatment plans, prioritizing high-risk offenders, and include veterans services and possible Veterans Treatment Court options.
• Participation is voluntary; participating authorities may withdraw at the end of the grant year; the act also provides nonsubstantive technical revisions to update language; the overall act becomes effective January 1, 2021.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Community Corrections Programs