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SJR 50

April as Second Chance Month, Recognized

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Rob Stewart

Declares April as Second Chance Month in Alabama to raise awareness and support for reintegration of formerly incarcerated people; ceremonial, with no funding or legal changes.

Enacted
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Bill Summary · SJR 50

SJR 50 — "April as Second Chance Month, Recognized" (Enacted)

Bill at a glance

  • Bill number: SJR 50 (Senate Joint Resolution)
  • Short title: Recognizing April as Second Chance Month in the State of Alabama
  • Sponsor: Senator Stewart (with numerous co-sponsors)
  • Introduced: February 3, 2025
  • Status: Enacted (April 15, 2025)
  • Classification: Non‑binding resolution (concurrent)
  • Companion: HJR 4

Purpose and intent

SJR 50 declares April to be “Second Chance Month” in Alabama to recognize and promote the reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals into communities and the workforce. The resolution emphasizes redemption, public safety, and the value of reentry programs that reduce recidivism.

Key provisions

  • Official recognition: Declares April as Second Chance Month in the State of Alabama.
  • Commendation: Commends Reentry Alabama and its stakeholders, partners, and members for work supporting reentry and reintegration.
  • Highlights program example: Notes the Perry County PREP Center — describing job training, substance use treatment, life skills, and education services — and states that none of its more than 300 graduates have returned to prison (as cited in the text).
  • No statutory changes, appropriation, or regulatory directives are included — the resolution is symbolic and declaratory.

Who/what is affected

  • Directly affected: none in a legal or funding sense. The resolution is ceremonial.
  • Symbolically affected: formerly incarcerated individuals, reentry service providers (e.g., Reentry Alabama, PREP Center), employers, community organizations, and policymakers — by raising awareness and encouraging support for reentry efforts.

Procedural history / timeline (selected)

  • Filed and received by Secretary of the Senate: 02/03/2025
  • Referred to Senate Business & Commerce Committee: 02/24/2025
  • Committee hearings and testimony: 03/18/2025 and 03/27/2025
  • Reported favorably and recommended for local & uncontested calendar: 03/31/2025
  • First read in Senate: 04/01/2025
  • Delivered to Governor / Enrolled: 04/08/2025
  • Enacted: 04/15/2025

Impact and limitations

  • Impact: Raises public and official awareness of reentry challenges and successes; publicly endorses second‑chance policies and may encourage voluntary action by employers, local governments, charities, or funders.
  • Limitations: As a resolution, SJR 50 does not create legal rights, impose duties, or allocate funds. Any policy or program changes to expand reentry services would require subsequent legislation or budgetary action.

Summary conclusion

SJR 50 is a ceremonial recognition designed to spotlight reentry efforts in Alabama, commend organizations like Reentry Alabama and the Perry County PREP Center, and encourage community and policymaker support for second‑chance initiatives. It does not enact statutory changes or funding.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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