SB70 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Andrew JonesSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to Etowah County; to provide that the director and employees of The Etowah County Punishment and Corrections Authority have arrest powers and may make arrests in certain circumstances.

Summary

The bill would give the Etowah County Punishment and Corrections Authority director and staff arrest powers and the ability to serve warrants in certain circumstances.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the director and corrections employees would become state law enforcement officers certified by the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission. Their arrest powers would cover crimes at the authority's facilities and offenses by people under the authority's supervision. They could arrest without a warrant if there is probable cause, but must prepare a written warrant in such cases; the court could detain the offender pending a hearing and may revoke probation or participation in the program.

Who It Affects

• The director and employees of the Etowah County Punishment and Corrections Authority, who would gain sworn arrest powers and must be POST-certified.
• People under the authority's supervision (offenders in the program), who could be arrested for violations or criminal acts and may face detention or program/probation revocation as determined by the court.

Key Provisions

• The Director and employees shall be considered law enforcement officers with power to arrest and to serve warrants while performing duties, to the same extent as deputy sheriffs in their counties, provided they hold current POST certification.
• Arrest powers are limited to investigations and arrests of criminal acts at the authority's facilities and acts by supervised individuals that violate supervision or are criminal offenses.
• Authority officers may arrest without a warrant if there is probable cause to believe a crime was committed or supervision conditions were violated; in warrantless arrests, a written warrant must be prepared stating probable cause for court use.
• The court may detain the offender pending a hearing and may revoke probation or participation in the authority's program (or both) as appropriate.
• Officers must comply with the minimum standards for state law enforcement officers certified by POST.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after its passage/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

Etowah County Punishment and Corrections Authority, arrest powers granted