The bill SB119 amends various sections of the Code of Alabama 1975 to strengthen firearm possession regulations and enhance public safety. Key provisions include prohibiting firearm ownership for individuals charged with specific felony offenses while released pending trial, and establishing a list of individuals barred from possessing firearms, such as those convicted of a felony within the last five years or those with three or more felony convictions. The bill also restricts firearm possession for individuals under valid protection orders for domestic abuse or deemed of unsound mind, while providing an affirmative defense for those who have received a pardon restoring their firearm rights. Additionally, the bill increases penalties for discharging firearms into occupied spaces and outlines grounds for revoking probation or parole for firearm possession violations.

Furthermore, SB119 introduces new procedures for handling parole and probation violations, including the establishment of a Parole Revocation Hearing Officer to conduct hearings and recommend actions based on evidence of violations. The bill modifies existing laws to clarify the conditions under which probation may be revoked, including possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and mandates timely violation hearings. It also revises the criteria for denying bail to defendants charged with serious offenses, ensuring that community safety and the defendant's history are considered during pretrial detention hearings. The bill includes changes in terminology from "bail" to "pretrial detention" and specifies that it will not require additional local funding, with most provisions set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 13A-11-61, 13A-11-72, 15-13-3, 15-22-32, 15-22-54, 13A-11-72
Engrossed: 13A-11-61, 13A-11-72, 15-13-3, 15-22-32, 15-22-54, 13A-11-72
Enrolled: 13A-11-61, 13A-11-72, 15-13-3, 15-22-32, 15-22-54, 13A-11-72