Senate Bill 240 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Will BarfootSenator

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Parole, remote inmate participation at parole hearings, authorized, conditions established

Summary

SB240 lets inmates attend parole hearings remotely and sets rules for remote participation by victims and other participants.

What This Bill Does

The Board of Pardons and Paroles must allow inmates to participate in parole hearings using telephone, video conference, or similar systems. The board must also let victims, victims’ families, crime victim advocates, law enforcement, prosecutors, and other invited participants join remotely and observe or hear the inmate’s statements. Inmates may waive these rights. If the victim or their family opts not to observe or interact, the board shall not allow the inmate to see, hear, or interact with them. If the communications system fails, the hearing is paused until it is reestablished. The Department of Corrections must provide and maintain the remote communications system and cooperate with the board. The act becomes effective March 1, 2027.

Who It Affects

• Inmates awaiting parole, who can participate in hearings remotely and interact with the board (and may waive these rights).
• Victims, victims' families, crime victim advocates, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and other authorized participants, who may participate remotely and observe or hear statements; victims may choose to opt out of interaction.

Key Provisions

• The Board of Pardons and Paroles must allow an inmate to participate in parole hearings via telephone, video conference, or other similar communications systems.
• The board must give victims, victims’ families, and crime victim advocates the option to see or hear the inmate's statements.
• Other participants such as law enforcement officers and prosecutors may participate via the same remote systems.
• An inmate may waive these remote participation rights.
• If the victim or their family chooses not to observe or interact, the board shall not allow the inmate to see, hear, or interact with them.
• If the communications system fails, the hearing shall be suspended until the system is reestablished.
• The Department of Corrections must procure and provide the remote communications system and cooperate with the board in implementing this act.
• This act becomes effective March 1, 2027.

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