SB72 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald H. AllenSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to driving under the influence and the requirements for the installation of an ignition interlock device by a person charged with driving under the influence and approved for a pretrial diversion program; to repeal Section 2 of Act 2018-517 of the 2018 Regular Session, now appearing as Section 32-5A-191 of the Code of Alabama 1975, effective July 1, 2023, which would delete provisions requiring the installation of ignition interlock by a person charged with driving under the influence and approved for a pretrial diversion program; and to amend Section 4 of Act 2018-517 of the 2018 Regular Session to conform to this act.

Summary

SB72 preserves the ignition interlock requirement for DUI offenders in pretrial diversion by reversing a prior change and aligning the law to keep the requirement in place.

What This Bill Does

The bill repeals the provision that would erase the ignition interlock requirement for DUI defendants in pretrial diversion, effectively restoring the requirement. It also updates Act 2018-517 to include transitional rules about how the new/retained provisions apply to offenses for up to five years after the act becomes effective. The changes become effective immediately after the bill is passed and approved, with conforming language to ensure consistent application.

Who It Affects

• People charged with driving under the influence who are approved for a pretrial diversion program will continue to be required to install an ignition interlock device for at least six months or for the duration of the diversion.
• Courts, pretrial diversion program administrators, and ignition interlock service providers will continue to enforce and administer the ignition interlock requirement, including applying the act's five-year transitional rules for offenses after the act’s effective date.

Key Provisions

• Repeal Section 2 of Act 2018-517 (32-5A-191) to restore the requirement that DUI defendants in pretrial diversion must install an ignition interlock device.
• Amend Section 4 of Act 2018-517 to establish transitional provisions: Sections 1 and 2 apply to offenses after the act’s effective date for five years, with certain exceptions; offenses prior to the effective date remain governed by prior law.
• The act takes effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor.

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