HB185 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim HillRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Accountability courts, establish the Accountablility Court Commission with the judicial branch, to provide duties of the commission, to provide appointment and terms of its members, to require each judicial circuit establish an accountability court, require AOC to adopt rules relating to pretrial diversion programs and the Alabama Drug Offender Accountability Act, Secs. 12-23B-1 to 12-23B-11, inclusive, added; Secs. 12-17-226 to 12-17-226.18, inclusive, 12-23A-1 to 12-23A-13, inclusive, repealed.

Summary

HB 185 would create the Alabama Accountability Court Act, set up an Accountability Court Commission in the judiciary, and replace existing drug, mental health, veterans courts and pretrial diversion programs with uniform accountability courts in every circuit.

What This Bill Does

It creates the Accountability Court Commission and defines accountability courts to include drug courts, mental health courts, veterans courts, pretrial diversion programs, or other specialty courts with structured interventions. It assigns the Administrative Office of Courts to help implement rules and transition from current courts, and repeals existing pretrial diversion and drug court laws. It funds accountability courts through a dedicated fund, allows donations and grants, and keeps participation voluntary with no mandatory county funding. It establishes transition timelines (plan by 2021 and full operation by 2022) and requires ongoing data collection, evaluation, training, and oversight.

Who It Affects

• Participants in accountability courts, including defendants or juveniles who may be ordered into pre-adjudication, post-adjudication, or reentry programs and may face fees, indigency determinations, and treatment plans
• Judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and state agencies (AOC, Department of Mental Health, Department of Veterans Affairs) plus professional groups (Alabama State Bar, DA Association, Criminal Defense Lawyers Association) involved in oversight, funding, and operation of accountability courts

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Alabama Accountability Court Act and creates Chapter 23B in Title 12 to govern accountability courts
• Defines accountability courts to include drug court, mental health court, veterans court, pretrial diversion, or other specialty courts with structured intervention
• Requires each judicial circuit to establish an accountability court, replacing existing drug courts, mental health courts, veterans courts, and pretrial diversion programs
• Creates the Accountability Court Commission within the judicial branch and outlines its duties, including certification, coordination, statewide evaluation, eligibility rules, standards, and a plan to establish courts in all circuits
• Gives the commission authority to determine participation fees and indigency procedures and to promote participation while keeping programs voluntary
• Provides funding through a dedicated accountability court fund; allows gifts, grants, and contracts; counties are not required to participate; fund balances carry over
• Requires the Administrative Office of Courts to assist with rulemaking and implement transition; repeals existing pretrial diversion and drug court laws
• Sets transition timelines: plan by January 1, 2021 and full operation by January 1, 2022; includes data collection, training, and public education components
• Specifies ineligibility for CDL holders to participate and grants immunity to providers and staff absent negligence or misconduct
• Outlines the commission's structure, membership, terms (four years), meetings, and potential appointment of an executive director

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

Subjects

Accountability Courts