HB426 Alabama 2020 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Jeff SorrellsRepresentative
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2020
Title: Geneva Co., creating a rehabilitation program for the Geneva County jail
Summary: HB426 creates a Geneva County jail rehabilitation program with a work-release option overseen by a newly formed Geneva County Rehabilitation Board.
What This Bill Does
The bill establishes a Rehabilitation Board to supervise a jail-based rehabilitation program for Geneva County inmates. It allows eligible inmates to participate in paid work release under court-approved conditions, and it outlines how wages are collected and distributed. It sets rules for administration, employer involvement, and annual reporting by the sheriff, along with the program’s effective date.

Who It Affects
Geneva County inmates in the county jail may participate in a work-release program and have their wages distributed according to a specified priority.
Geneva County officials (sheriff, district attorney, senior judges, and a county commissioner appointee) administer the program, set rules, collect fees, and produce annual reports; local employers involved in work release are subject to the program's requirements and wage handling.

Key Provisions
Creates the Geneva County Rehabilitation Board with five members: the sheriff, the district attorney, the senior circuit judge, the senior district judge, and a fifth member chosen by the County Commission.
Applies only to Geneva County inmates in the county jail (not state inmates) and defines board and inmate terms.
Requires the board to adopt written procedures, hold meetings with adherence to Robert's Rules, and have rules signed off by members at least 30 days before implementation.
authorize paid employment for inmates under work release, with court approval required in writing prior to employment, and allow the board to extend confinement limits for work release under prescribed conditions.
Wage distribution from inmate employment: 30% retained for confinement costs; funds for child support as ordered by court; up to 25% for court costs/fines; any amount agreed for family support; remaining funds go to the Jail Inmate Trust Fund or the inmate as allowed by jail rules.
Imposes a $50 nonrefundable application/investigation fee paid by the inmate to the designated agent; the board may change this fee.
Requires wages to meet prevailing area wages, not displace workers, not involve strike breaking, and prohibit exploitation; the board may place eligible inmates with employers under these conditions.
Declares privileges do not make inmates agents or employees of the board or government while participating or traveling to/from work release.
Mandates an annual sheriff’s report within 60 days after the close of each fiscal year, with copies to the board, governing bodies, and judges; reports must cover participation, earnings, program effectiveness, and recommendations, with supporting documents due within 30 days.
Takes effect on the first day of the third month after the bill is passed and approved.

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