The bill amends Sections 12-15-128 and 12-15-208 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to introduce electronic monitoring for juveniles released from custody under certain conditions. It authorizes the Board of Pardons and Paroles and other state agencies to implement electronic monitoring for alleged delinquent children whose offenses would be classified as felonies if committed by an adult, including Class A, B, and certain Class C felonies. Additionally, electronic monitoring is mandated for juveniles with three or more prior felony offenses. The bill also revises the terminology regarding the release of children into the care of suitable individuals, changing "person" to "individual" for clarity.

Moreover, the bill modifies the detention criteria for status offenders who violate valid court orders, allowing for a first violation to result in detention for up to 72 hours, with subsequent violations permitting detention for up to seven days, contingent upon a written detention order. The previous six-month limitation for such detentions has been removed. The bill emphasizes immediate notification to juvenile court officials upon the detention of a status offender and outlines specific procedures for assessments and interviews. Additionally, it prohibits the detention of individuals under 18 in adult jails or lockups, mandates hearings for violations, and ensures that juvenile facilities are licensed. The bill also includes provisions for the Department of Youth Services to develop a statewide juvenile detention system and requires law enforcement to provide security and transportation for children to and from these facilities. The bill will take effect on October 1, 2025, and introduces new definitions for "contact" and "sight contact," while deleting previous provisions that allowed for broader detention practices.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 12-15-128, 12-15-208
Engrossed: 12-15-128, 12-15-208
Enrolled: 12-15-128, 12-15-208