HB197 Alabama 2022 Session

Updated Feb 22, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Rod Scott
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2022
Title: Artificial intelligence, limit the use of facial recognition, to ensure artificial intelligence is not the only basis for arrest
Summary: HB197 would limit Alabama law enforcement’s use of artificial intelligence and facial recognition by banning ongoing surveillance and by preventing AI results from being the sole basis for arrests or probable cause.
What This Bill Does
It would prohibit state or local law enforcement from using AI or facial recognition to engage in ongoing surveillance unless a warrant, exigent circumstances, or a court order for locating or identifying missing or deceased persons applies (with a possible ex parte order in some cases). It would also prohibit using AI or facial recognition results as the sole basis to establish probable cause or to make an arrest, requiring other lawful evidence to be considered. Additionally, it would ban identifying someone based on a sketch or other manually produced image.

Who It Affects
State and local law enforcement agencies in Alabama, which would face new limits on when and how they can use AI and facial recognition technology.
Residents of Alabama, whose privacy and protection from misuse of AI/facial recognition in policing would be strengthened, including limits on identifications from AI results or sketches.

Key Provisions
Restriction on ongoing surveillance: Prohibits using artificial intelligence or facial recognition to engage in ongoing surveillance, real-time identification, or persistent tracking, except with a warrant, exigent circumstances, a court order for locating or identifying a missing or deceased person, or a court-approved certification of relevance; effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.
Restriction on basis for arrest/identification: Prohibits using AI or facial recognition results as the sole basis to establish probable cause or make an arrest, and prohibits identification of a person based on a sketch or manually produced image; requires other lawful evidence to be used.

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