HB181 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arnold MooneyRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

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

HB 181 would overhaul Alabama's private investigator licensing by clarifying fees, tightening licensure requirements and background checks, and adding rules on inactive licenses, reporting arrests, and continuing education.

What This Bill Does

It clarifies which fees the Private Investigation Board must deposit into a dedicated fund and sets how those funds are used. It tightens licensure requirements and requires criminal history background checks for applicants. It authorizes the board to grant inactive status with a rule-based reinstate process and fee, and it establishes penalties for practicing without a license. It also requires licensees to report arrests within 72 hours and sets a continuing education requirement of 16 hours over the two-year license period.

Who It Affects

• People applying for or renewing a private investigator license in Alabama, who must meet stricter qualifications, pay fees, and undergo background checks.
• Licensed private investigators in Alabama, who must report arrests within 72 hours, may pursue inactive status with a reinstatement process and fees, and must complete required continuing education.

Key Provisions

• Clarifies which fees collected by the Alabama Private Investigation Board must be deposited into the Alabama Private Investigation Board Fund and lists eligible fees (application, renewal, reinstatement, late renewal, change of information, replacement license, inactive license, and related administrative fees).
• strengthens licensure qualifications: applicants must be at least 21, not mentally incompetent, not convicted of a felony, not convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, and must pass an examination at least twice annually; a study guide will be provided to applicants.
• Requires criminal history background checks: applicants must submit fingerprints and undergo background checks through the Alabama Bureau of Investigation and/or FBI or other approved providers, with the board able to obtain updated information as needed.
• Allows the board to grant inactive status to licensees and establish, by rule, procedures and fees for reinstating an inactive license.
• Establishes penalties for practicing without a license: the board can suspend or revoke licenses, impose civil penalties up to $2,000 per violation, and entities providing private investigator services without a license can face up to $1,000 per day and possible injunctions.
• Requires licensees to report arrests to the board within 72 hours and includes a requirement to report suspected child abuse or neglect.
• Sets continuing education requirements at 16 hours over the two-year license period, with the board promoting at least one ethics-focused seminar per year in each congressional district.

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

Subjects

Private Investigators