SB59 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rodger SmithermanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to disclosure of certain personal information; to prohibit public agencies from collecting, disclosing, or releasing certain personal information about members of, volunteers for, and financial and nonfinancial donors to nonprofit organizations, except as required by law; and to provide civil and criminal penalties for violation of these prohibitions; 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

SB59 would protect personal information of nonprofit members, volunteers, and donors from public disclosure by public agencies and impose penalties for violations.

What This Bill Does

It prohibits public agencies from collecting, releasing, or disclosing personal information that identifies someone as a nonprofit member, volunteer, or donor, except as required by law. It creates civil and criminal penalties for violations, defines what counts as personal information and public agency, and outlines limited exceptions where disclosure may occur, while keeping donor information largely confidential. It also sets the act to take effect on the first day of the third month after passage.

Who It Affects

• Public agencies at the state and local level (prohibited from collecting or disclosing nonprofit donor/member information; subject to penalties for violations).
• Members, volunteers, and donors of nonprofit organizations (gains privacy protections; personal information cannot be disclosed without lawful exceptions).

Key Provisions

• Public agencies may not require, collect, release, or publicly disclose personal information identifying someone as a nonprofit member, supporter, volunteer, or donor.
• Civil and criminal penalties for violations, including at least $2,500 per violation and up to triple damages for intentional violations; courts may award litigation costs and attorney fees.
• Definitions of key terms (nonprofit, personal information, public agency) and a list of specific entities covered or exempt (e.g., excludes public higher education institutions and certain authorities).
• Allowed exceptions and lawful disclosures include disclosures required by other law, warrants, protective orders in litigation, certain audits or investigations, and voluntary releases by the person or nonprofit; some disclosures are restricted to specific purposes.
• Confidentiality of personal information; it shall not be treated as a public record.
• Effective date: the act becomes law 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.