This bill relates to Etowah County and grants the director and employees of The Etowah County Punishment and Corrections Authority arrest powers. They will be considered law enforcement officers with the power to make arrests and serve arrest and search warrants while performing their official duties. These powers of arrest are limited to criminal acts committed at the authority's program facilities and acts committed by persons under the authority's supervision that are a violation of supervision or a criminal offense. The director or corrections employee with law enforcement authority may arrest any person under their supervision without a warrant if they have probable cause to believe the person has committed a criminal offense or violated the conditions of supervision. The bill also requires the director and employees to comply with the minimum standards for state law enforcement officers.

The bill will become effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor or its otherwise becoming law.