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SB 60

Criminal procedure; Department of Corrections, outstanding warrant check procedures on inmates, provided; virtual hearings on inmates, required under certain conditions

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Arthur Orr

SB 60 strengthens warrant oversight for inmates by mandating NCIC checks, interagency notification, and virtual hearings to improve location accuracy and safety.

Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Ways and Means General Fund)
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Bill Summary · SB 60

Summary of SB 60 (2026rs) – Alabama

Purpose and intent

  • The bill modernizes and expands procedures related to arrest warrants and indictments for inmates who are in the custody of the Alabama Department of Corrections (DOC).
  • It imposes duties on DOC and the Board of Pardons and Paroles (BPP) to check for outstanding warrants and to notify issuing authorities if warrants exist.
  • It requires certain court hearings involving inmates to be held virtually, when feasible, and strengthens notification requirements to the relevant agencies.
  • Effective date: January 1, 2027.

Key provisions

1) DOC duties regarding outstanding warrants (Section 1)
- The DOC must search the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database for outstanding warrants for inmates at:
- Intake
- Consideration for any work release program
- 90 days before an inmate’s scheduled release, if they remain in custody
- If an outstanding warrant is found, DOC must notify the issuing court, agency, district attorney, or municipal prosecutor about the inmate’s whereabouts.
- DOC must cooperate to ensure the warrant is served when the inmate is in custody.
- If technically possible, hearings related to the warrant service should be conducted without physically bringing the inmate to the court, in accordance with Section 15-26-1, Alabama Code (virtual or remote hearing option).
- DOC is not required to transport an inmate solely for proceedings arising from a warrant served while the inmate is in custody.

2) BPP duties regarding outstanding warrants (Section 2)
- When considering an inmate for parole, the BPP must check NCIC for any outstanding warrants.
- If an outstanding warrant exists, the board must notify the issuing court, agency, district attorney, or municipal prosecutor about the inmate’s location.

3) Law enforcement and warrant/indictment notification (Section 3)
- Any law enforcement agency issuing an arrest warrant or obtaining a grand jury indictment for an inmate in DOC custody must notify the DOC within 30 days.
- The issuing agency must provide DOC with a copy of the executed warrant and any bonding documentation.
- The agency must update NCIC after executing the warrant to prevent the erroneous release of the inmate.

4) Effective date (Section 4)
- The act becomes effective January 1, 2027.

Who is affected

  • Inmates currently or subsequently in DOC custody.
  • DOC administrative processes (intake, work release consideration, pre-release planning).
  • Law enforcement agencies issuing warrants or indictments for inmates in DOC custody.
  • Courts where warrants or hearings are involved.
  • The Board of Pardons and Paroles as it relates to parole consideration.
  • Issuing prosecutors (courts, district attorneys, municipal prosecutors) who must be notified about inmate locations when warrants/indictments are issued.

Procedural and fiscal notes

  • The fiscal notes acknowledge an undetermined increase in DOC obligations, contingent on:
    • Costs of searching for and serving warrants on inmates in custody
    • Providing notification to warrant-issuing entities
    • Facilitating virtual appearances for pre-trial hearings
  • No specific dollar amounts are provided; costs will depend on implementation and operational changes.

Practical impact and implications

  • Enhanced visibility: Improved coordination between DOC, courts, and law enforcement to locate inmates with outstanding warrants.
  • Potential for reduced inmate transport: Virtual hearings may reduce the need to transport inmates for certain proceedings.
  • Timely notice: Issuance of warrants/indictments triggers more prompt notification to DOC, reducing risk of inadvertent releases.
  • Parole considerations: BPP will factor warrant status into parole decisions, potentially affecting eligibility or conditions.

Overall, SB 60 aims to tighten warrant oversight for inmates, improve interagency communication, and leverage virtual court proceedings to increase efficiency and safety in handling warrants and pre-release matters.

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

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