SB120 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Linda Coleman-MadisonSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to crimes; to amend Sections 13A-10-30, 13A-10-36, 13A-10-37, and 13A-10-38, Code of Alabama 1975, to allow a detention facility to adopt a policy to further define what items constitute "contraband" for purposes of banning certain items from detention facilities; to further define the crimes of promoting contraband in the first, second, and third degree to apply to juveniles under certain circumstances; to make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the existing code language to current style; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Section 111.05 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022.

Summary

SB120 lets detention facilities define contraband by policy, expands enforcement against contraband to juveniles under certain circumstances, updates terminology, and shields confined juveniles from contraband charges.

What This Bill Does

The bill allows detention facilities to adopt policies that further define what counts as contraband for banning items. It broadens the penalties for promoting contraband (first, second, and third degree) to apply to juveniles under certain circumstances, but Section 2 later states that no juvenile in detention shall be guilty of promoting prison contraband. It also updates the code language for clarity and specifies how related local funding requirements would be treated under Alabama's Constitution. The changes would take effect on the first day of the third month after passage.

Who It Affects

• Detention facilities and their staff, who could adopt policies and enforce bans on contraband
• Juveniles confined in detention facilities, who would be shielded from these contraband charges under the bill

Key Provisions

• Allows detention facilities to adopt a policy to further define contraband for purposes of banning items from detention facilities.
• Expands the crimes of promoting contraband in the first, second, and third degree to apply to juveniles under certain circumstances.
• Provides nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the code language to current style.
• Section 2 states that no juvenile confined in a detention facility shall be guilty of promoting prison contraband.
• Specifies the act would have a local-funding impact but is exempt from local-funding approval under constitutional exceptions; sets the effective date as the first day of the third month after passage.

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