SB247 Alabama 2025 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Arthur OrrSenator
Republican
Session: 2025 Regular Session
Title: Crimes and offenses, picketing and protesting prohibited in certain circumstances, criminal penalties provided
Summary: SB247 would restrict certain protests near private homes, impose penalties for violations, and let local governments regulate time and noise for residential protests.
What This Bill Does
The bill bans using amplified noise to protest near a home with the intent to harass or disturb. It also prohibits nighttime picketing near residences (from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise) and blocking roads or building entrances during a protest. Violations would carry criminal penalties, and police must ask protesters to disperse peacefully before arrest. Local governments could adopt stricter time and noise rules for residential protests, and enforcement would follow these rules; speech in public parks or traditional public forums is not limited. The act takes effect on October 1, 2025.

Who It Affects
Individuals who engage in picketing or protesting near someone’s residence, particularly to harass, intimidate, or disturb, who would face prohibitions and potential criminal penalties.
Local governments (cities/counties) and law enforcement, who would regulate time and noise for residential protests and enforce penalties.

Key Provisions
Prohibits using artificial noise amplification to picket or protest near a residence with intent to harass, intimidate, or disturb.
Prohibits picketing or protesting near a residence during 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.
Prohibits blocking a public road, or the ingress or egress of a residence or place of employment during a protest.
Criminal penalties: Class C misdemeanor for a first violation; Class B misdemeanor for second or subsequent violations.
Law enforcement must instruct the protester to peacefully disperse before arrest.
Municipalities and counties may adopt ordinances or resolutions regulating time and noise for residential protests, enforced the same as this section.
The act does not limit freedom of speech or assembly in public parks or traditional public forums.
Effective date: October 1, 2025.

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