HB73 Alabama 2021 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Jim HillRepresentative
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2021
Title: Community punishment and corrections, to require every judicial circuit to establish a community punishment and corrections program, Sec. 15-18-187 added; Secs. 15-18-172, 15-18-176 am'd.
Summary: HB73 requires every judicial circuit in Alabama to establish a community punishment and corrections program in at least one county and updates related law accordingly.
What This Bill Does
It mandates a community punishment and corrections program in each circuit by January 1, 2022. If a circuit has no program, the presiding judge, with county input, must select a county to establish one. Programs can be run by counties, authorities, or nonprofits, with the Department of Corrections able to contract for start-up and maintenance costs. The bill also governs state inmate participation, makes participation voluntary, and states that inmates in these programs are not eligible for parole during participation; it emphasizes funding via performance-based models and collaboration to provide behavioral health and veteran services.

Who It Affects
Judicial circuits and county governments (must establish and operate or contract for a community punishment and corrections program, or appoint one via designated county).
State inmates and offenders who may be assigned to a program and participate voluntarily, with parole ineligibility during participation.

Key Provisions
Adds new Section 15-18-187 requiring a community punishment and corrections program in every judicial circuit by Jan 1, 2022; if no program exists, the presiding judge selects a county to establish one.
Amends Sections 15-18-172 and 15-18-176 to outline how counties, authorities, or nonprofits may establish programs, authorize department contracts for start-up and maintenance costs, and set rules for state inmate participation.
Requires department rules, performance-based reimbursement criteria, and prioritization of services based on risk, including behavioral health and veteran services, with cross-agency collaboration for funding and implementation.
Provides that participation is voluntary and that programs may be funded through contracts rather than mandatory county funding; existing programs can satisfy the circuit requirement.
Specifies that state inmate participation in these programs may affect parole eligibility (not eligible for parole during program participation) and describes cross-circuit or cross-county assignments with judge and contract 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: Community Corrections Programs