HB44 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris EnglandRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Criminal procedure; requires custodial agencies to contact a detained individual's emergency contacts in certain circumstances

Summary

HB44 would require Alabama detention facilities to collect emergency-contact and medical-directive information from detainees and to notify their emergency contacts in cases of death or serious medical conditions.

What This Bill Does

The Department of Corrections must, to the extent practicable, give detainees the opportunity within 48 hours of custody to provide emergency-contact information and details about medical directives to be included in their custodial record. The custodial record must include the emergency contact’s name, address, phone, and email, plus information on any medical proxy, medical power of attorney, advanced directive, or do-not-resuscitate order and the contact details of anyone holding these authorities. If a detainee dies, the department must notify each emergency contact within 24 hours and share the circumstances, time of death, whether an investigation is ongoing, and the reason for any investigation. If a detainee has a serious medical condition, the department must notify emergency contacts as soon as practicable after the condition occurs, including the cause/nature, whether the detainee is incapacitated, a list of procedures performed or planned, and contact information for the treating facility or provider.

Who It Affects

• Detained individuals in Alabama custody: must provide emergency-contact and medical-directive information and have it recorded in their custodial file; their emergency contacts will be contacted in death or serious medical events.
• Emergency contacts for detainees: will be notified within specified timeframes in cases of death or serious medical conditions and will receive accompanying details.
• Alabama Department of Corrections and detention facilities: must collect, maintain, and share the required information and notifications.

Key Provisions

• Defines custodial record, detained individual, in custody, and serious medical condition for clarity and consistency.
• Requires the Department of Corrections to provide detainees with an opportunity within 48 hours to supply emergency-contact information and medical directives to be included in the custodial record.
• Requires notification of emergency contacts within 24 hours of a detainee's death, including circumstances, time of death, investigation status, and investigation reasons.
• Requires notification of emergency contacts as soon as practicable after a serious medical condition, including cause/nature, incapacitation status, medical procedures performed or planned, and treating facility/provider contact information.
• 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

Criminal Procedure