Bill > HB257

This bill, effective October 1, 2026, makes several changes to Alabama's criminal laws, primarily focusing on expanding protections and penalties related to sex offenses and domestic violence. It establishes new crimes such as "authority figure sexual abuse" and "inpatient custodial sexual misconduct," which address sexual offenses committed by individuals in positions of power or within healthcare facilities against patients. The bill also broadens the definitions and penalties for existing crimes like indecent exposure, transmitting obscene material to a child, and traveling to meet a child for unlawful sex acts, often by including younger victims or expanding the scope of electronic communication. Additionally, it clarifies that law enforcement involvement in investigations, such as using undercover operatives, is not a defense against prosecution for certain sex offenses. The legislation also updates the definition of a "sex offense" to include more offenses and clarifies procedures for sex offender registration and notification, particularly for offenses committed in other jurisdictions or by juveniles. Finally, it modifies rules regarding the admissibility of statements made by child victims in court proceedings, extending the age of protection to 16, and makes conforming changes to statutes related to facility dogs in courtrooms and the definition of "sexual motivation."