SB201 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

April WeaverSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Retail Theft Crime Prevention Act; required payment of restitution, further provided to include housing and care costs incurred

Summary

SB201 would require defendants convicted of organized retail theft to pay restitution to victims and to law enforcement, including housing and care costs for the defendant, by adding the sheriff's office as a recipient.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends the restitution rules for organized retail theft convictions. It requires the court to order restitution upon the district attorney's request and expands who receives restitution. It adds the local sheriff's office as a recipient for housing and care costs of the defendant and explicitly includes those housing and care costs in the calculation of payable restitution. Restitution can be paid to the retail merchant victim, to primary investigative law enforcement and prosecutorial entities for legitimate costs, and to the sheriff for housing/care costs, with the process governed by existing sections on restitution and costs.

Who It Affects

• Offenders convicted of organized retail theft, who would be required to pay restitution including housing and care costs.
• Retail merchants and other victims, who would receive restitution for losses.
• Local sheriff's offices, which would receive funds for housing and care costs of the defendant.
• Law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies involved in the investigation and prosecution, which could receive restitution for legitimate costs.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 13A-8-227 to require restitution after conviction for organized retail theft upon the district attorney's request.
• Adds the local sheriff's office as a recipient of restitution.
• Explicitly includes the housing and care of the defendant in the calculation of payable restitution costs.
• Restitution payments are directed to (1) the retail merchant victim; (2) primary investigative law enforcement and prosecutorial entities for legitimate costs; (3) the sheriff for housing/care costs of the defendant.
• 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