House Bill 503 Alabama 2026 Session

Updated Mar 5, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Juandalynn GivanRepresentative
Democrat
Session: 2026 Regular Session
Title: Criminal law; crime scene photos of human remains, prohibitions on transmission or release, provided; penalties for violations, provided
Summary: HB503 would prohibit sharing or transmitting images from death investigations of deceased individuals, with penalties that increase if done for gain, effective October 1, 2026.
What This Bill Does
The bill prohibits disclosure, transmission, or use of any photograph or image of a deceased person or human remains taken as part of a coroner or law enforcement investigation, regardless of whether the investigation is active or the image was taken on a personal or agency device. It allows use only for official coroner or law enforcement purposes or as otherwise allowed by law. Violations would be punishable as a Class B misdemeanor, with a Class A misdemeanor if the disclosure or transmission was for consideration or other gain.

Who It Affects
Law enforcement personnel, coroners, investigators, and other people who handle death-investigation images: must not disclose or transmit images outside official purposes.
Any person who discloses or transmits such images for money, goods, services, or other gain: faces a Class A misdemeanor.
State or local government agencies and employees who store or manage these images (on agency devices or personal devices): must comply with the new restrictions on disclosure and use.

Key Provisions
Section 1(a): Prohibits disclosure, transmission, or use of any photograph or image of a deceased individual or human remains taken as part of a coroner or law enforcement investigation, for any purpose other than official use or as allowed by law.
Section 1(b)(1): Violating the prohibition is a Class B misdemeanor.
Section 1(b)(2): Providing or transmitting such images for consideration or gain is a Class A misdemeanor.
Section 2: The act becomes effective on 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: Crimes & Offenses