House Bill 189 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Alan BakerRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Juvenile proceedings; court required to notify local superintendent of education or private K-12 school principal of charging or adjudicating an enrolled student delinquent for committing certain criminal offenses

Summary

HB189 would require the juvenile court to notify a student’s school within seven days when the student is charged or adjudicated delinquent for certain serious offenses, including acts that would be crimes if committed by an adult, with confidentiality protections.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends Section 12-15-217 to require written notification to the local school district superintendent or private K-12 principal within seven days after a student is charged or adjudicated delinquent for capital offenses or any act that would be a crime as an adult. It also allows notice for other delinquent acts, with the court deciding the notice method and the prosecutor able to request notice. The notice must include the offenses and the case disposition, and the school can disseminate the information to appropriate staff while maintaining confidentiality; violating confidentiality would be a Class A misdemeanor. The act becomes effective October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Students enrolled in Alabama schools who are charged with or adjudicated delinquent for offenses covered by the bill (including capital offenses and other acts that would be crimes as adults).
• Local school districts and private K-12 schools, along with their staff (superintendents, principals, counselors, teachers, administrators) who receive and use the notifications to support rehabilitation and safety.

Key Provisions

• Requires written notice within seven days to the school district superintendent or private school principal after a student is charged or adjudicated delinquent for capital offenses listed (e.g., murder, rape, sodomy) or any act that would be a crime if committed by an adult.
• For other delinquent acts not listed as capital offenses, the juvenile court may provide written notice within seven days to the school administrator.
• The prosecutor may recommend notice to the school for any delinquent act.
• Notice must include only the offenses and a brief description, plus the disposition of the case.
• Notice may be transmitted in an expedited manner to the school, and the principal may disseminate information to relevant staff as needed for rehabilitation or safety.
• Information received by school staff is confidential and only shared for rehabilitation and safety, with limited allowed disclosures to necessary parties.
• Intentional violation of confidentiality is a Class A misdemeanor under juvenile court jurisdiction.
• The act becomes effective October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Criminal Procedure