HB55 Alabama 2022 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Jim HillRepresentative
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2022
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: HB55 requires every Alabama judicial circuit to establish a community punishment and corrections program in at least one county to serve all counties in the circuit, with state funding and an implementation timeline.
What This Bill Does
It mandates that each circuit have a community punishment and corrections (CP&C) program in at least one county to serve all counties in the circuit, with the option for nonprofits to run the program. The state would fund these programs with per diem payments based on offender risk, and contracts could be made with counties, authorities, or nonprofits for startup and ongoing costs. State inmates may participate in CP&C programs with department approval and may be assigned to programs in their sentencing county, circuit, or another county if authorized, and participation can affect parole eligibility. Each circuit must develop a CP&C plan with funding criteria and performance targets, include veteran services, and Baldwin and Lee Counties have exemptions if they meet existing program requirements by January 1, 2023.

Who It Affects
State inmates and other offenders who may participate in CP&C programs; participants may be assigned to programs and, if in a CP&C program, are not eligible for parole.
Counties, county commissions, circuits, presiding judges, nonprofit providers, and state agencies (Department of Corrections, Board of Pardons and Paroles, Veterans Affairs, Public Health, Mental Health) responsible for establishing, funding, administering, and overseeing CP&C programs, with exemptions and funding conditions.

Key Provisions
Each judicial circuit must establish a CP&C program in at least one county to serve all counties within the circuit; funding by a county is not required unless approved by the county commission; nonprofits may establish programs.
The Department may contract with counties, authorities, or nonprofits for start-up and maintenance costs, including medical expenses for state inmates participating in CP&C programs.
State inmates may participate in CP&C programs with Department approval; assignments follow county, circuit, or cross-county authorization rules; inmates in CP&C programs are not eligible for parole.
The Department shall pay CP&C programs a per diem based on risk level (at least $15/day for low-risk, $17.50/day for medium-risk, $20/day for high-risk) for each state inmate in the program.
A CP&C plan must be developed and approved by the affected county commissions, include funding/grant criteria, and may use performance-based reimbursement tied to treatment and supervision targets; collaboration with various state agencies and the Governor’s Office for behavioral health and veterans services.
Baldwin and Lee Counties are exempt if their diversion/treatment programs operating as of Jan 1, 2023 meet the article’s requirements.
Effective date: January 1, 2023.

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