HB491 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Allen TreadawayRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Crimes and offenses, electronic device, placing certain devices on the property of another person, prohibited, penalties, Secs. 13A-6-95, 13A-6-96 added; Sec. 13A-6-92 am'd.

Summary

The bill makes it illegal to place electronic tracking devices on someone else’s property without consent and creates penalties, with harsher penalties if the device is used to surveil or violate a court order.

What This Bill Does

It creates two new crimes: 13A-6-95 makes it a Class A misdemeanor to place an electronic tracking device on another person’s property without the owner’s consent; 13A-6-96 makes it a Class C felony to place a device with intent to surveil, stalk, or harass, or for any unlawful purpose, with Class B felony penalties if the conduct violates a domestic violence protection order, elder abuse protection order, temporary restraining order, or any other court order. The bill also updates definitions in 13A-6-92 to include electronic tracking devices and related terms. The act would take effect on the first day of the third month after passage and approval.

Who It Affects

• Property owners or occupants who would be protected from someone placing an electronic tracking device on their property without consent.
• Individuals who could be surveilled, stalked, or harassed via tracking devices (including victims of stalking, domestic violence, or elder abuse), who would face criminal penalties and, in some cases, higher penalties if tied to court orders.

Key Provisions

• Adds §13A-6-95: No person may place an electronic tracking device on another person's property without the owner's consent; violation is a Class A misdemeanor.
• Adds §13A-6-96: No person may place an electronic tracking device on another person's property with intent to surveil, stalk, or harass or for any unlawful purpose; violation is a Class C felony, and a Class B felony if it violates a domestic violence protection order, elder abuse protection order, temporary restraining order, or any other court order.
• Amends §13A-6-92 to add definitions, including 'electronic tracking device' and related terms used in the new sections.
• States the bill is exempt from certain local expenditure requirements under constitutional amendments because it creates a new crime or amends definitions.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor's 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

Crimes and Offenses