Senate Bill 199 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Keith KelleySenator

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Sex offenders; restrictions for certain sex offenders further provided, Board of Pardons and Paroles authorized to adopt rules

Summary

SB199 would give parole/probation officers new authority to restrict certain adult sex offenders who committed offenses involving a child from using a post office box or any internet-enabled electronic media, and would require treatment with periodic polygraphs as a condition of release, with violations punishable as Class C felonies.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes parole or probation officers to restrict adult sex offenders convicted of offenses involving a child from using a post office box or possessing electronic media that allows internet access. It allows the Board of Pardons and Paroles or a court to require the offender to participate in sex offender treatment as a condition of release, which may include periodic polygraph examinations. It makes failure to comply with these restrictions or treatment requirements a Class C felony, and it authorizes the board to adopt rules to implement the treatment provisions, with an effective date of October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Adult sex offenders convicted of a sex offense involving a child — face new restrictions on PO box use and internet-enabled devices, and may be required to undergo sex offender treatment and periodic polygraph testing.
• Parole/probation officers, the Board of Pardons and Paroles, and supervising courts — gain authority to impose these restrictions and treatment conditions and to adopt implementing rules; offenders may be financially responsible for treatment and polygraph costs if not indigent.

Key Provisions

• §15-20A-19.01: An adult sex offender convicted of a sex offense involving a child may be restricted by his or her parole or probation officer from using a post office box or possessing electronic media that allows internet access; violation is a Class C felony.
• §15-20A-20.01: The Board or a court may require sex offender treatment as a condition of release, including periodic polygraph examinations; changing treatment providers requires prior approval; offenders may have to pay treatment and polygraph costs unless indigent; polygraphs must be conducted by a licensed Alabama Polygraph Examiner with advanced certification, with at least two yearly polygraph examinations.
• §15-20A-44 (amended): The Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency may adopt administrative rules for hearings and to list offenses from other jurisdictions that count as criminal sex offenses under this chapter; implementing rules may be adopted by the Board to enforce §15-20A-20.01.
• Section 3: The act becomes effective on October 1, 2026.

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

Subjects

Crimes & Offenses