HB396 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ben HarrisonRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Crimes & offenses, prohibits law enforcement from using the hog-tie position

Summary

HB396 would ban the four-point hog-tie restraint by law enforcement, require agencies to adopt policies against it, and establish criminal penalties for violations, effective October 1, 2024.

What This Bill Does

It would prohibit law enforcement officers from detaining, restraining, or transporting someone using the four-point restraint, and from placing someone face-down in a way that could restrict oxygen or blood flow to the head or neck. It would require law enforcement agencies to include a prohibition on this restraint in their policies and procedures. Violating these rules would be a Class A misdemeanor.

Who It Affects

• Law enforcement officers and the agencies they work for: they would be prohibited from using the four-point restraint and must adopt policies reflecting the ban.
• Individuals who are detained or restrained by police: they would be protected from being subjected to the four-point hog-tie restraint or other dangerous face-down positions.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits the four-point restraint (hog-tie) by law enforcement officers.
• Requires law enforcement agencies to adopt policies and procedures prohibiting the use of the four-point restraint.
• Violations of the prohibition would be a Class A misdemeanor.
• Effective date: October 1, 2024.

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

Subjects

Crimes & Offenses