HB462 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Neil RaffertyRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Firearms, Voluntary Alabama Firearms Do-Not-Sell List created, Mental Health Dept. to administer

Summary

HB462 would create a Voluntary Alabama Firearms Do-Not-Sell List, run by the Department of Mental Health, allowing residents to voluntarily limit themselves from buying or possessing firearms and to seek removal later.

What This Bill Does

The bill creates the Voluntary Alabama Firearms Do-Not-Sell List and sets up ways for people to register themselves and request removal. It requires the Department of Mental Health to maintain forms and a secure internet platform with identity verification and privacy protections. It also outlines how removals work, including a 21-day wait before notifying the FBI, a court process to determine continued risk, and automatic data sharing with the FBI and other states’ systems, with records purged after updates. The bill imposes penalties for violations and prohibits certain discrimination or inquiries by insurers, employers, housing providers, health care providers, and government entities related to the list, while also funding public education about the list and protecting certain information from open records laws.

Who It Affects

• Individuals in Alabama who choose to add or remove themselves from the Do-Not-Sell List and may be restricted from purchasing or possessing firearms as a result.
• Insurers, employers, housing providers, health care providers, educational institutions, and state agencies, which are limited in how they may inquire about or react to a person’s listing and must comply with confidentiality and nondiscrimination requirements.

Key Provisions

• By June 1, 2023, the Department of Mental Health shall create the Voluntary Alabama Firearms Do-Not-Sell List and develop registration/removal forms.
• By June 1, 2023, hard copy and electronic registration/removal processes must be available, with submission methods including in-person, mail, and electronic submission with identity verification.
• By January 1, 2024, a secure internet-based platform must be launched to verify identity, protect sensitive information, and provide email notification options for registrations and removals.
• Registration and removal can be completed by the individual through specified methods; removal requires a 21-day wait before the FBI is notified to update NICS, and records of registration/removal must be purged after notification.
• Removal can also occur via district court with a burden of proof; the court must decide within 24 hours, and the department must remove the individual within 24 hours of the decision.
• The department must continuously forward registry information to the FBI and to other states with analogous lists, and process cross-state notices within one business day.
• Possession, receipt, or transport of a firearm by a person on the list (or on a similar list from another state) is a Class C misdemeanor; transferring a firearm to someone on the list is a Class A misdemeanor.
• False statements on the internet platform or forms are a Class A misdemeanor.
• Insurers may not inquire about listing or adjust policies due to listing; employers may not inquire or terminate employment decisions due to listing unless firearm possession is a job requirement; housing discrimination against listed individuals is prohibited; health care providers may not deny services due to listing.
• The bill provides for civil penalties in addition to criminal penalties for violations and includes protections against certain disclosures of listing information.
• Open records laws do not apply to information about the Do-Not-Sell List, and the act authorizes the Department to adopt implementing rules.
• An education/public awareness campaign about the list must be implemented by June 1, 2023, and forms must be available at state law enforcement offices and circuit clerks’ offices.

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

Subjects

Firearms