A bill to bring Alabama’s criminal code regarding sex offenders up-to-date with observed trends in sexual misconduct, particularly when technology is involved, has been signed in to law.
SB301, sponsored by Mobile-Democrat Sen. Vivian Figures was signed by Gov. Kay Ivey on Friday.
“The most important duty of government is to keep our people safe. I proudly signed SB301, because it protects the vulnerable in our society by ensuring that reporting requirements for sex offenders are strict and enforced,” Ivey said. “Our laws must keep up with changes in our technology.”
“I am thankful for the work of Senator Figures, all legislators, and Attorney General Steve Marshall in securing bipartisan passage of this important legislation,” Ivey added.
SB301 codifies a total of five new criminal offenses into law. The legislation also makes changes to the existing sex-offender laws to strengthen reporting requirements and it clarifies parts of the existing statute.
“This new law is an important step forward in updating our criminal code to combat new and troubling forms of sexual misconduct, many of which are made possible by evolving technology,” Figures commented. “As sponsor of this legislation, I thank the Attorney General’s Office and the Office of Prosecution Services for their leadership in developing and promoting the proposal. I also thank Governor Ivey for signing the bill into law.”
