HB49 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Laura HallRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Law enforcement agencies, sex offenses, to preserve and retain all evidence of commission of the offense until case has been resolved

Summary

HB 49 would require Alabama law enforcement to preserve and retain all evidence of sex offense cases until the case is fully resolved.

What This Bill Does

If passed, any law enforcement agency investigating a sex offense must preserve and retain all evidence of the offense until the case is resolved. 'Resolved' means the case ends with a guilty plea, conviction, acquittal, or a dismissal with prejudice after all appeals have been exhausted, and the measure applies to sex offenses as defined by Section 15-20A-5 of the Code. The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after its passage and governor’s approval (or otherwise becoming law).

Who It Affects

• Law enforcement agencies investigating sex offense cases in Alabama, which must preserve and retain all evidence until the case is resolved.
• People involved in sex offense cases (including victims and defendants), whose case evidence must be kept until resolution, potentially affecting evidence handling and timelines.

Key Provisions

• Requires any law enforcement agency investigating a sex offense to preserve and retain all evidence of the offense until the case is resolved; sex offenses are those defined by Section 15-20A-5, Code of Alabama 1975.
• Defines 'resolved' as a plea of guilty, conviction, acquittal, or dismissal with prejudice after all remedies on appeal; specifies the act's effective date as the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

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

Subjects

Law Enforcement Agencies