HB21 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chip BrownRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to criminal procedure; to require law enforcement agencies and the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences to submit an annual report containing certain data regarding sexual assault cases to the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency; and to require the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency to submit an annual report containing certain data regarding sexual assault cases to the Chairs of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees.

Summary

HB21 requires annual reporting of sexual assault case data by law enforcement agencies and the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences to the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, which must in turn report to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees.

What This Bill Does

Law enforcement agencies must report several data items about sexual assault cases to the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency by April 1 each year for the prior year, including total new cases, cases with forensic analysis, cases without forensic analysis and the reasons why, and cases closed with the reasons. The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences must report its own data by April 1 each year, including cases received, cases completed, and cases in progress as of December 31 of the prior year. By May 1 each year, the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency must send a summary to the Chairs of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees that includes all the reported data and the names and contact information of any entity that did not comply. The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after it is passed.

Who It Affects

• Law enforcement agencies in Alabama, which must report annual sexual assault data to the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency
• The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, which must report its data on sexual assault cases
• The Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, which collects data and forwards a summary to legislative chairs
• Chairs of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees, who receive the annual summary
• Any entity that fails to comply with the reporting requirements, as their name and contact information will be included in the summary

Key Provisions

• LEAs must report by April 1 each year the prior year's data: total new sexual assault cases; new cases with forensic evidence submitted for analysis; new cases with forensic evidence not submitted and the reasons; and cases closed for judicial or investigative reasons and the reasons.
• The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences must report by April 1 each year: number of sexual assault cases received, number completed, and number in progress as of December 31 of the prior year.
• By May 1 each year, ASLEA must transmit a summary to the Chairs of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees that includes all LEA and DFS data and the names/contacts of any noncompliant entities.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after it is passed.

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