The proposed legislation, known as the Sergeant Wytasha Carter Truth and Transparency Act, amends the Code of Alabama 1975 by adding Section 41-9-623.2 and revising Section 41-9-600. Under the new Section 41-9-623.2, all state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies are required to report the number of sworn law enforcement officers they employ to the Alabama Justice Information Commission by July 1, 2025, and annually thereafter. This information will be shared with the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency and the Attorney General, who will compile and publish the reports on their official website. The Alabama Justice Information Commission is also authorized to adopt rules for implementing this reporting requirement.

In the revised Section 41-9-600, new provisions are introduced to impose administrative fines for agencies that fail to comply with reporting requirements. Specifically, agencies that neglect or refuse to submit required reports may face fines of $1,000, with additional fines accruing every 30 days until compliance is achieved. Furthermore, any officer or official who intentionally fails to submit reports or provides false information may be prosecuted for a misdemeanor, facing fines ranging from $100 to $10,000 and potential jail time. Additionally, agencies that do not comply will be ineligible for state grant programs until they meet the reporting requirements. The act is set to take effect on June 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Engrossed: 41-9-600