MONTGOMERY, AL – Governor Kay Ivey on Thursday signed the remaining bills in the Safe Alabama public safety package, completing the legislative initiative aimed at strengthening law enforcement protections and addressing juvenile crime.
House Bill 202, sponsored by Sen. Lance Bell and Rep. Rex Reynolds, provides enhanced legal protections for law enforcement officers. House Bill 199, the Juvenile Accountability and Monitoring Act, sponsored by Sen. Bobby Singleton and Rep. Travis Hendrix, focuses on pretrial detention and electronic monitoring of juveniles deemed dangerous.
“I was very proud to have two former law enforcement agents sponsoring this important bill in the House and the Senate,” Governor Ivey said after signing HB202. “Rep. Rex Reynolds, a former police chief in Huntsville, and Sen. Lance Bell, a former deputy sheriff in St. Clair County, both did an excellent job moving the bill through the legislative process.”
“With HB202 signed into law, I am proud Alabama is now the most pro-law enforcement state in the country,” the governor added.
Regarding HB199, Ivey highlighted its bipartisan support and addressed juvenile crime concerns.
“I am pleased that our Safe Alabama public safety package passed with bipartisan support, and I am confident that each of these bills will help protect communities across our state,” she said. “In Alabama, unfortunately, juveniles are part of the crime problem, and HB199 is an important step to addressing this very real issue.”
Law enforcement leaders expressed appreciation for the legislation. Chief Bill Partridge, speaking on behalf of the Chiefs Associations legislative committee, thanked the governor and legislators for their support.
“On behalf of the Chiefs Associations legislative committee, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Governor Kay Ivey, Rep. Ledbetter, Rex Reynolds, Senator Bell, and my dedicated local delegation for their unwavering support in passing the Back the Blue Bills in the legislature, including HB202,” Partridge stated.
He added, “Your commitment to strengthening our law enforcement community is truly commendable and reflects a deep understanding of the critical role that our police officers play in ensuring the safety and security of our communities. Thank you for standing up for those who protect and serve us every day.”
The Safe Alabama package represents a comprehensive approach to public safety concerns, with elements addressing both law enforcement protections and juvenile justice reform. The bills received support from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, though specific vote tallies were not mentioned in official statements.
