Alabama House Bill HB100

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/13/26
• Refer: 1/13/26
• Report Pass: 1/14/26

Caption

Alabama Justice Information Commission; collection, dissemination, and use of biometric identifiers by certain entities provided for; Alabama Background Check Service established, types, uses, and fees for certain background checks for noncriminal justice purposes authorized; Alabama Rap Back Program established, penalties provided for; existing law relating to release of criminal history information repealed

Impact

The legislation will significantly update and amend existing laws regarding the collection and use of biometric information and criminal history data. It will empower ALEA to perform background checks not only for law enforcement agencies but also for public and private employers, educational institutions, and other authorized entities. Furthermore, it introduces the Alabama Rap Back Program, designed to notify participating agencies when individuals enrolled in the program face criminal charges or convictions, allowing for ongoing monitoring of criminal activity among pertinent populations.

Summary

House Bill 100 aims to enhance the processes surrounding criminal identification and background checks in the state of Alabama. Primarily, the bill mandates that certain law enforcement and correctional agencies collect biometric identifiers, which may include fingerprints, photographs, and other specified identifiers. These biometric data must be submitted to the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) for inclusion in a statewide biometric repository. Additionally, the bill establishes the Alabama Background Check Service, outlining provisions for how background checks can be conducted for noncriminal justice purposes.

Contention

While supporters of HB100 argue that the bill will enhance public safety and streamline background checks, concerns have been raised regarding privacy and data security. Critics point out that the broad collection of biometric data could lead to misuse and potential violations of individual privacy rights. The introduction of fees for accessing this data also raises questions about accessibility and potential financial burdens on small organizations and nonprofits that might require background checks for volunteers or employees.