Backing the blue and combatting crime: A breakdown of Gov. Ivey's 鈥楽afe Alabama鈥� package
We're learning more about the public safety package unveiled by Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey during her State of the State address Tuesday night.
鈥淏olstering public safety is my number one priority this session, and I am proud to partner with Speaker Ledbetter and a bipartisan group of legislators in putting forward a package of bills that will back the blue and combat inner-city gun violence,鈥� said Governor Ivey during her address. 鈥淲orking together, we will create a safer Alabama.鈥�
The public safety legislation, which prioritizes enhanced legal protection for local law enforcement and combatting gun violence in the state's metropolitan areas, will be dubbed the "Safe Alabama" package.
鈥淔ighting crime in our cities, streets and neighborhoods and allowing Alabamians to feel safe in their homes rank among our most important duties as lawmakers,鈥� said Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger. 鈥淎t the same time, the men and women who wear a badge and patrol our cities must know that their elected leaders in Montgomery have their backs at all times, and I am confident that this package accomplishes all of those goals.鈥�
You can read a breakdown of everything included in the Safe Alabama package below:
Back the Blue Legal Protection Act
This bill aims to replace the current immunity law for peace officers with broader civil protections. Officers would be protected from lawsuits unless they act recklessly without justification or infringe on clearly established rights.
In terms of criminal liability, they would be immune from prosecution for use of force on duty unless it breaches constitutional limits on excessive force.
The bill also provides for pausing legal proceedings to allow officers to establish these protections under the new law.
Law Enforcement Dependent Scholarship
Aimed at increasing recruitment and retention, this bill would create the Alabama Law Enforcement Officers鈥� Family Scholarship Program.
The program would provide financial aid for college tuition and related expenses to eligible dependents of long-serving officers. It would be applicable to undergraduate studies at participating public technical schools, colleges, and universities in Alabama.
Officer Impersonation Prevention Act
The bill expands the crime of "impersonating a peace officer" to include those who knowingly take jobs as peace officers while ineligible to serve due to revoked or suspended certification. It also prohibits employers from hiring individuals they know are ineligible for these roles under similar conditions.
Inner City Gun Violence Act
This act broadens the existing law forbidding certain people from passing a firearm to include those convicted of any felony conviction unless pardoned. It also makes it a felony to possess a firearm while on bail for violent crimes, only if convicted of those crimes.
The act also expands Aniah鈥檚 Law to deny bail for the charges of certain persons forbidden and shooting into an occupied dwelling. Bail could also be denied for those charged with solicitation, attempt or conspiracy to commit any offense where bail denial is allowed. A constitutional amendment would be required to implement these changes.
It also elevates the penalty for shooting into occupied spaces to a Class A felony.
Furthermore, it mandates revocation of parole or probation for individuals found unlawfully possessing firearms, meaning those individuals would face more than the current "45-day 'dunk' in the county jail."
Aniah鈥檚 Law Enhancement Constitutional Amendment
This would amend the constitution to align with the aforementioned changes being made in the Inner City Gun Violence Act.
Metro Area Crime Suppression Budget Proposal
This would see to the annual allocation of $3 million to support a permanent 24-member Metro Area Crime Suppression Unit.
Glock Switch Ban
With certain exceptions, this would make it a Class C felony to knowingly possess a Glock switch.
Juvenile Accountability and Monitoring Act
This would allow the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles or other state agencies to provide electronic monitoring for high-risk juvenile offenders. It would also remove the 72-hour limit on detaining juvenile-status offenders who violate court orders.