House Bill 437 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Laura HallRepresentative

Democrat

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Board of Pardons and Paroles; discretion whether to grant or deny parole, further provided; review of parole violations, procedure further provided to require consideration of totality of circumstances; penalties for certain parole-violations, increased

Summary

HB437 would give the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles more discretion in handling parole violations, add new sanctions options and a formal parole-court process, and create a dedicated Parole Revocation Hearing Officer, with related confinement and county-jail procedures, effective October 1, 2026.

What This Bill Does

It lets the Board consider total circumstances and the recommendations of parole hearing officers when deciding how to handle violations by offenders on enumerated offenses, instead of automatically revoking parole. It also allows reinstatement or a new hearing if a new offense is charged but later dismissed or acquitted. It creates a Parole Revocation Hearing Officer and a formal parole court, describes a menu of sanctions (including mandatory treatment, GPS monitoring, and short confinement not to exceed six days per month and nine days total), and sets where confinement can occur and how it is funded.

Who It Affects

• Parolees on parole (including those with enumerated offenses): face broader Board discretion in sanctions, potential reinstatement options, and clearer hearing rights and confinement limits.
• Boards, hearing officers, counties, and state agencies (DOC, county jails, residential centers): new roles, procedures, funding responsibilities, and enforcement mechanisms for parole violations.

Key Provisions

• Board may consider totality of circumstances and hearing-officer recommendations for enumerated-offense parole violations and choose sanctions rather than automatic revocation.
• Creation of a Parole Revocation Hearing Officer and a formal parole court; provision of parolee rights, defined hearing timelines, and a menu of sanctions including treatment, GPS monitoring, and limited confinement; plus confinement placement in state or county facilities and related reimbursement rules.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Criminal Procedure