HB452 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mack N. ButlerRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Sex offenders; to further provide for restrictions for certain sex offenders

Summary

HB452 tightens restrictions on certain sex offenders by limiting internet access for offenses involving young victims, requiring treatment as a condition of release (including potential polygraphs), and expanding administrative rules for out-of-state offenses, with penalties for violations.

What This Bill Does

It adds a rule that adult sex offenders convicted of offenses where the victim was 12 or younger may not use a post office box or any electronic media that can access the Internet, unless approved by their probation or parole officer. It lets the Board of Pardons and Paroles or a court require sex offender treatment as a condition of release, which may include periodic polygraph examinations; it also sets who pays for treatment and polygraphs, and requires treatment providers to be approved, with restrictions on changing providers. It makes violations of these requirements a Class C felony and requires the Board to adopt rules to implement the program. It also changes the rules for admin hearings for certain offenses and sets an effective date of October 1, 2024.

Who It Affects

• Adult sex offenders convicted of offenses where the victim was 12 years old or younger, who would face internet/media restrictions, potential treatment requirements, or penalties for violations.
• State agencies and officials (Board of Pardons and Paroles, courts, treatment providers, supervising entities) that would administer treatment, approve media access, set costs, and adopt implementing rules.

Key Provisions

• Section 15-20A-19.01: No PO box use and no possession of devices offering internet access for eligible offenders unless approved by probation or parole officer.
• Section 15-20A-19.01(b): Violating the restriction is a Class C felony.
• Section 15-20A-20.01(a): Board or court may require sex offender treatment as a condition of release, which may include periodic polygraph examinations.
• Section 15-20A-20.01(b)-(e): Treatment provider changes require prior approval; indigent offenders may have the costs of treatment and polygraphs determined by means; polygraph examinations must be conducted by a licensed Alabama Polygraph Examiner with advanced certification; frequency not less than two per year; failure to participate is a Class C felony.
• Section 15-20A-44: Secretary to adopt admin hearing rules; listing offenses from other jurisdictions considered sex offenses; offenders convicted of those offenses immediately subject to this chapter; rules to implement enforced by the Secretary and Executive Director.
• 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