HB81 Alabama 2020 Session

Updated Feb 22, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Chip BrownRepresentative
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2020
Title: Bail, in criminal cases, Section 16, Constitution of Alabama of 1901, am'd, const. amend.
Summary: HB 81 would amend Alabama's Constitution to guarantee reasonable bail before conviction for most people, while allowing the Legislature to designate offenses for which bail may be restricted.
What This Bill Does
The bill creates Aniah's Law, changing the bail rule so that individuals generally have a right to bail with sufficient sureties before trial. It keeps the rule that excessive bail cannot be required. It allows the Legislature to specify certain offenses by general law that may have different bail rules. A voter referendum is required for the amendment to take effect.

Who It Affects
Most people who are charged with a crime and awaiting trial, who would typically be eligible for bail with sufficient sureties before conviction.
Offenses designated by the Legislature in general law, which would be subject to different bail rules (potentially more restricted or different conditions) as determined by that legislation.

Key Provisions
Creates Aniah's Law and amends Section 16 of the Alabama Constitution to require bail prior to conviction for all individuals except for offenses enumerated by general law.
Bail must be by sufficient sureties and excessive bail shall not be required.
The amendment is known as Aniah's Law.
An election will be held to approve the amendment, with ballot language describing the change and requiring a majority of electors to approve for it to become part of the Constitution.

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