HB305 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Merika ColemanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Traffic stops, racial profiling by law enforcement officers, prohibited, written policies, forms for statistics, and reports to Attorney General required, provision for complaints, reporting and collection of data on injuries to officers, required

Summary

HB305 would ban racial profiling in traffic stops, require anti-profiling policies and data collection, and create complaint and injury-reporting requirements for Alabama law enforcement, while adding local funding considerations.

What This Bill Does

It defines racial profiling and prohibits stopping drivers solely because of race or ethnicity. It requires county and municipal police departments and the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency to adopt written policies against racial profiling and to use standardized forms for recording traffic-stop statistics. It also sets up a process for complaints, requires data on injuries to officers to be collected, and mandates reporting to the Attorney General with periodic summaries to the Governor and Legislature. Additionally, it introduces local funding implications under Amendment 621, allowing for possible withholding of funds if agencies do not comply and complete required training. The act becomes effective after governor approval with a defined delay.

Who It Affects

• Law enforcement agencies (county, municipal police departments, and the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency) must adopt policies, collect stop data, process complaints, and report to the Attorney General.
• Drivers and the general public (motorists) who are stopped, as data about stops (including observed demographics) and complaints will be recorded and reviewed, and potential avenues for complaints will be established.

Key Provisions

• Defines racial profiling and prohibits traffic stops based solely on race or ethnicity; prohibits using race as the sole factor to establish probable cause or justify detention.
• Requires each county and municipal police department and the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency to adopt written anti-profiling policies and to use standardized forms for traffic-stop statistics, including documenting the stop reason and outcomes.
• Requires recording of stop data, including observed demographics of the motorist and the officer, the nature of the traffic violation, and whether a warning, citation, arrest, or search occurred; requires complaints to be filed with the Attorney General.
• Requires sections to provide forms for complaints (printed and electronic) and to collect data on injuries to law enforcement officers, with reporting to the Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission and the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency.
• Authorizes the Attorney General to review compliance and may withhold funds from agencies until proper training and compliance are completed; requires annual summary reports to the Attorney General and periodic reporting to the Governor and Legislature.
• Adds Amendment 621 local-funding considerations: if enacted, it would be treated as a new or increased local expenditure; it requires a 2/3 vote to become effective unless local approval or Legislature funding/revenue is provided.

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

Subjects

Motor Vehicles