Senate Bill 233 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Lance BellSenator

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Crimes and offenses; penalties for eluding or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer, penalties further provided

Summary

SB233 would raise and restructure penalties for eluding a law enforcement officer, creating a baseline Class D felony, raising charges to Class C or B for specific circumstances, and adding mandatory minimum confinement for repeat offenses, while keeping license suspensions and adding cost-sharing provisions for detention-related medical costs.

What This Bill Does

It makes eluding a law enforcement officer a Class D felony by default. It adds Class C felony status for aggravating circumstances such as a child under 14 in the vehicle, the offender being on bail/probation/parole or in a work-release program, a prior eluding conviction, crossing state lines, a collision, or causing physical injury. It elevates to Class B felony if there is serious injury or death, speeding more than 20 mph over the limit, striking an officer or officer’s vehicle, or two or more prior eluding convictions. It requires a driver’s license suspension upon conviction and imposes minimum confinement penalties of at least 90 days for a second conviction and at least 180 days for a third or subsequent conviction within a 10-year period, and it requires municipalities to reimburse counties for medical costs when detainees are held in county jail.

Who It Affects

• Drivers/defendants who elude or attempt to elude law enforcement would face higher charges (Class D baseline, up to Class C or B under certain conditions) and potential minimum confinement for repeat offenses, plus license suspension.
• Law enforcement agencies and local governments, which would administer enforcement under the new penalties and bear (or recoup) detention-related medical costs from municipalities for arrestees detained in county jails.

Key Provisions

• Baseline eluding offense changed to Class D felony.
• Class C felony if during eluding one or more conditions occur: child under 14 in the vehicle; on bail/probation/parole or in work release; prior eluding conviction; crossing state lines; collision or physical injury to another person.
• Class B felony if: serious physical injury or death results; speed excess of 20 mph over the limit; strike of a law enforcement officer or their vehicle; or two or more prior eluding convictions.
• Mandatory license suspension upon conviction, with a range of at least six months to two years.
• Mandatory minimum confinement: second conviction within 10 years = at least 90 days; third or subsequent conviction within 10 years = at least 180 days.
• Municipalities must reimburse counties for medical costs incurred during detention of arrestees.

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