MONTGOMERY, AL – During her State of the State address on Tuesday evening, Governor Kay Ivey introduced a comprehensive public safety package aimed at bolstering law enforcement support and addressing inner-city gun violence. Dubbed the “Safe Alabama” package, the legislative initiative includes multiple bills designed to enhance legal protections for law enforcement officers, increase penalties for violent offenders, and expand existing crime suppression efforts.
“Bolstering 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,” Governor Ivey said. “Working together, we will create a safer Alabama.”
Back the Blue Legal Protection Act
- Civil Liability Protections: Repeals existing peace officer immunity law and replaces it with expanded protections for officers performing their official duties, shielding them from lawsuits unless their actions are deemed reckless or violate clearly established rights.
- Criminal Protections: Grants immunity from prosecution for law enforcement officers using force on duty unless their actions violate constitutional protections against excessive force.
- Legal Proceedings: Establishes procedures to halt legal actions while officers seek immunity under the new law.
Law Enforcement Dependent Scholarship
- Creates the Alabama Law Enforcement Officers’ Family Scholarship Program to provide financial assistance for dependents of long-serving officers pursuing undergraduate degrees at public technical schools, colleges, and universities in Alabama.
Officer Impersonation Prevention Act
- Expands the crime of impersonating a peace officer to include individuals who knowingly accept employment as law enforcement officers despite being ineligible due to certification revocation or suspension.
- Prohibits employers from hiring individuals under such circumstances.
Inner City Gun Violence Act
- Firearm Possession by Felons: Expands existing laws to prohibit firearm possession by any individual with a felony conviction unless their gun rights have been restored.
- Pretrial Detention Expansion: Proposes adding certain firearm-related offenses to Aniah’s Law, allowing judges to deny bail if a defendant is deemed a flight risk or public safety threat.
- Increased Penalties: Upgrades shooting into an occupied dwelling from a Class B felony to a Class A felony.
- Parole/Probation Revocation: Requires revocation of parole or probation for individuals convicted of unlawful firearm possession and allows revocation for those found in possession by parole or probation officers.
Aniah’s Law Enhancement Constitutional Amendment
- Amends the state constitution to reflect changes made in the Inner City Gun Violence Act.
Metro Area Crime Suppression Budget Proposal
- Provides $3 million in recurring funding to support a permanent, 24-person crime suppression unit in Montgomery.
Glock Switch Ban
- Criminalizes possession of a “Glock Switch,” a device that converts a semi-automatic pistol into a fully automatic firearm, as a Class C felony.
Juvenile Accountability and Monitoring Act
- Authorizes state agencies to provide electronic monitoring for high-risk juveniles released pending case disposition.
- Repeals the 72-hour confinement limitation for juvenile status offenders who violate court orders.
Legislative Support and Next Steps
House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter emphasized the importance of supporting law enforcement officers and ensuring community safety.
“The men and women who wear the badge represent the very best of our state, and it’s time that we take additional steps to show them that we have their backs and appreciate the sacrifices they make to protect and serve,” Ledbetter said.
Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger echoed the commitment to combating crime and reinforcing law enforcement support.
“Fighting crime in our cities, streets, and neighborhoods and allowing Alabamians to feel safe in their homes rank among our most important duties as lawmakers,” Gudger stated.
Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton expressed a bipartisan approach to ensuring both public safety and law enforcement resources.
“We need to do all we can to end this epidemic of senseless gun violence plaguing our communities, while also investing in our schools and mental healthcare systems,” Singleton said.
The bills and accompanying resolution were officially introduced on February 5, 2025, marking the beginning of the legislative process. Lawmakers will now debate and refine the measures before potential enactment into law.
