SB248 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

April WeaverSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Corrections Department; rename Investigation and Intelligence Division; add correctional canine classifications to state law enforcement

Summary

SB248 renames the Department of Corrections' Investigation and Intelligence Division and adds correctional canine classifications as state law enforcement officers with full police powers.

What This Bill Does

The bill changes the division's name to the Investigation and Intelligence Law Enforcement Services Division. It designates correctional investigative services officers and correctional canine classifications (and their supervisors) as state law enforcement officers with full police powers to investigate and enforce laws relating to prisons, correctional facilities, and DOC staff. They may arrest and must display badges when arresting; their powers apply to inmates, department employees, and related associates, including family members and contractors. Indictments for these violations are to be tried in the circuit court of the county where the offense occurred, and the officers must meet minimum standards for state law enforcement.

Who It Affects

• Department of Corrections employees, who will report violations to the new division and may be investigated by the correctional investigative services officers.
• Correctional investigative services officers, correctional canine classifications, and their supervisors, who gain state police powers to investigate and arrest within the Department of Corrections' scope.
• Inmates and associates of inmates or department employees (including family members and department contractors) who may be investigated or affected by these officers.
• Courts and district attorneys, as indictments involving these officers would be tried in the circuit court where the offense occurred and may involve referrals to the proper district attorney.

Key Provisions

• Rename the Division to Investigation and Intelligence Law Enforcement Services Division and update the code language accordingly.
• Call correctional investigative services officers and correctional canine classifications legal state law enforcement officers with full police powers and jurisdiction similar to state police.
• Allow these officers to investigate and enforce laws relating to prisons, correctional facilities, and DOC staff, with arrests requiring badge display.
• Limit police powers to matters involving inmates, DOC employees, and their associates; include family members and contractors in the scope of investigations originated by the department.
• Require compliance with minimum standards for state law enforcement officers.
• Indicate the venue for indictments (circuit court of the county where offense occurred) and refer to proper district attorney as needed.
• Effective June 1, 2024, and include nonsubstantive technical revisions to update language to current style.

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

Subjects

Incarceration