SB204 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Steve LivingstonSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Law enforcement officers, judges, and prosecutors, confidentiality, to restrict disclosure of personal information of

Summary

SB204 would prohibit disclosing the home addresses or unpublished phone numbers of law enforcement officers or legislators, with criminal penalties and civil damages for violators.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the bill makes it illegal to knowingly publish or transmit a law enforcement officer's or legislator's home address or unpublished phone number, including information about spouses or dependent children, in any public forum such as the Internet. Violators could be charged with a Class C misdemeanor and be liable for damages to the affected person, including at least $1,000 per violation, actual damages, punitive damages, and reasonable attorney fees. The act creates a new crime and is exempt from certain spending restrictions in the state constitution; it would become effective on the first day of the third month after passage and gubernatorial approval.

Who It Affects

• Law enforcement officers (and their spouses or dependent children) whose home addresses or unpublished phone numbers would be protected from disclosure.
• Members of the Alabama Legislature (and their spouses or dependent children) whose home addresses or unpublished phone numbers would be protected from disclosure.
• Anyone who discloses a protected home address or unpublished phone number in violation of the bill, who could face criminal penalties and civil damages.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits knowingly disclosing the home address or unpublished phone number of any law enforcement officer or member of the Legislature with intent to expose them to harassment or harm.
• Defines 'disclose' broadly to include transmitting, publishing, distributing, advertising, or communicating information to any public forum (including the Internet).
• Establishes that violating the prohibition is a Class C misdemeanor and that violators may be liable for damages to the affected individuals, including at least $1,000 per violation, actual damages, punitive damages, and reasonable attorney fees.
• Defines key terms such as 'law enforcement officer' and 'person' to apply the law widely to protect associated individuals.
• Excludes the bill from certain constitutional spending restrictions because it creates a new crime or amends the definition of an existing crime.
• Sets the act to become effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor 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

Confidential Information