[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6592159,"mediaKeyId","2923842-20c38e393794234e8f869cd0b4833d18","parentId",2923842,"title","Votes at a glance: Senate Judiciary Committee actions (selected bills)","audioSeconds",467,"startMs",472000,"endMs",4197,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2923842-20c38e393794234e8f869cd0b4833d18&start=472&end=4","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2923842-20c38e393794234e8f869cd0b4833d18/thumbnail_472000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6592159/Alabama/Votes-at-a-glance-Senate-Judiciary-Committee-actions-selected-bills","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6592159-0c8f44aa51b56244fef1223a0a76a818/orig.mp4?Expires=1771100837&Signature=FV~i32iXdPuAY0XJFn~76vKqt2DHuM9-ZLrrjkGe2bTRhcbAJ~SSCsEjMQMgNkJmOXHJu-4rkkSiB09US5QRrhP5xcrPxUDKeHy-3lw1Zq1CExB65LicSjDYukvD72oz8wdB363BsdnPZJdui2WjdtJQXF1JK7TaBLFaTE2rQzlD5eGKgoqPz7w7TVdKUWCobBTBFHRs9xtSzR6-JaKBhIUh7vAePfIrM3-5n1aVegR~vEG19plzNuZETm78vIFfZP6nxnnN6Rnfu9WTy6ZCZs1cn1AVjrIlVgm4aVZbYQDqDN0Zfk9UpOZEpuJg6FsBK62xw8jRmsmwzt5F6z9bKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alabama Senate Sessions","date","2025-04-09T14:58:02.473Z","article","The Senate Judiciary Committee recorded favorable reports or adopted substitutes on multiple bills in a roughly one-hour session. Below is a compact list of bills that were reported favorably or had substitutes adopted during the hearing, with the brief description that appeared in committee and the committee outcome as recorded in the transcript.

Votes at a glance

- MySB210 (hospital liens): Adopted an amendment substituting statutory \"clean claims\" language and requiring a reasonable inquiry into coverage before a hospital lien may be placed; bill reported favorably.

- SB292 (state superintendent subpoena authority): Committee adopted and reported bill favorably; members requested statutory safeguards and limits on scope.

- HB360 (drug court bill / naming and related edits): Reported favorably; committee discussed naming and a friendly amendment to recognize a judge associated with the program.

- HB233 (terrorist-threat/second-degree): Proposal to remove the \"credible and imminent\" requirement for second-degree threats and elevate repeat offenses; bill reported favorably.

- HB356 (school-threats substitute): Committee adopted DA-drafted substitute clarifying \"credible threat,\" adding student psychological-evaluation requirements and authorizing restitution for response costs; substitute reported favorably.

- HB66 (forfeiture of inheritance after elder abuse conviction): Extends existing prohibition on inheritance by perpetrators to include certain elder-abuse convictions; reported favorably.

- SB223 (expungement amendments): Amends expungement law in limited circumstances and adds criteria for nonviolent felony petitions; reported favorably with committee comment about Class C vs. Class D scope.

- HB307 (speedy trial revisions): Committee reported the bill favorably; sponsors will continue work on an amendment that raised concerns.

- HB209, HB238 and other house bills referenced in the agenda: Committee recorded favorably report on the listed house bills during the session (transcript indicates multiple house bills were moved by motion and second and reported favorably).

Notes on procedure and next steps

- In several cases the committee adopted substitutes drafted with district attorneys or other stakeholders; sponsors said they will continue to harmonize language before floor consideration to avoid conflicting court interpretations.

- The transcript records that the committee took recorded roll calls on multiple items and indicated some abstentions; committee chairs and sponsors pledged additional drafting meetings with stakeholders.

Ending: Committee members urged ongoing stakeholder engagement and legislative drafting work before the bills reach the Senate floor.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Judiciary Committee recorded favorable reports or adopted substitutes on multiple bills, including measures on hospital liens, superintendent subpoena authority and school threats.","taxTitle","Senate, Alabama Legislative Sessions, Alabama","taxId",62183,"location","Alabama","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6592164,"Committee advances bills to broaden prosecution of school threats; substitute adds mental-health screening and restitution",1159,2428000,3587000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2923842-20c38e393794234e8f869cd0b4833d18&start=2428&end=3587","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2923842-20c38e393794234e8f869cd0b4833d18/thumbnail_2428000.jpg","/articles/6592164/Alabama/Committee-advances-bills-to-broaden-prosecution-of-school-threats-substitute-adds-mental-health-screening-and-restitution","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6592164-4196b0d34b7222124e11c6f92bf7b5a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771100837&Signature=PMUxD66wybsHRFN2IFCDhRkWu-3mSTpbjYvebrAwzdA9IDUGWFq4lG9eyFXAOoTqT0IkrawN6MnXRhMklgx-wMClUR7bgljjsSZwcF2dm68EDHgOTwI7e~k0k0me2Zq2SI5b3s4w3v7~-mmk21mhGp4318d8tPSHjiZbWwNgAXoegJVXN7j4jXZGuVwaIDgLlymGVuO7ZORHVnnvt8cpShO22Pr5ihBLvhgQbJY60MI2E9dAHx0UEkmlSYwBe737M1iJB-xGFODAsdVt3~PrB4Djy7I-IDPbaJa3p~ZSfltTwBVnUxb0qNLjuGasdRrhEqfOnnllZOQ0yVEY2pYvKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced a package of bills aimed at strengthening prosecution of threats against schools and adding safeguards for affected students. Representative Baker's HB233 removes the statutory requirement that a second-degree terrorist threat be both \"credible and imminent\" in order to be prosecuted; under the change a threat could be prosecuted without proof of imminence, and a second or subsequent offense would be elevated to a Class D felony.

Representative Woods's HB356, and a committee substitute worked with prosecutors, mirrors much of Baker's intent while adding definitions and procedural safeguards. Woods told the committee the substitute clarifies the meaning of a \"credible threat\" and expands the code to make prosecution more uniform across jurisdictions. \"We are putting the term credible threat in the code ... which will allow all the jurisdictions to be able to prosecute uniformly across the state,\" Woods said.

The Woods substitute also includes provisions intended to address student welfare and costs associated with responses to threats. It authorizes psychological evaluation and counseling for students who commit threats before a school readmits them and directs courts to order restitution to cover costs incurred by law enforcement and school districts in responding to hoaxes.

Katie Langer of the Office of Prosecution Services told the committee the substitute was drafted with district attorneys to make prosecution more consistent statewide. Sponsors emphasized the bills are designed as deterrents and to reduce disruption; one sponsor said local schools had experienced repeated lockdowns and heightened anxiety among students after hoax threats.

The committee adopted the substitute and reported the bills favorably; members urged the sponsors to reconcile remaining language differences to avoid conflicting court interpretations and asked for agreement on final statutory language before floor action.

Ending: Committee members said they would continue working with prosecutors and the sponsors to harmonize language so enforcement is consistent across the state. The substitute was given a favorable report to the full Senate.

","Two related bills — HB233 and HB356 (substitute) — were reported favorably after sponsors said they would remove the \"credible and imminent\" requirement for second-degree terrorist-threat prosecutions, elevate repeat offenses, and add requirements for psychological evaluation and restitution when the accused is a student.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6592168,"Committee approves bill giving state superintendent subpoena power after debate over judicial authority",705,1546000,2251000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2923842-20c38e393794234e8f869cd0b4833d18&start=1546&end=2251","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2923842-20c38e393794234e8f869cd0b4833d18/thumbnail_1546000.jpg","/articles/6592168/Alabama/Committee-approves-bill-giving-state-superintendent-subpoena-power-after-debate-over-judicial-authority","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6592168-efccf3790dc6f41512614ed7f26bda39/orig.mp4?Expires=1771100837&Signature=AeguU5YnkjHpwrDhtIJFEPTtknZj8klubJw9d1Pm5y5DHERMkDeOB7E4ozsXSaohUqN8Zj58dqSkuqdC4ao8cHkiGyx1pBteONJuuLbkgXMxZUWiHOUvAEFJuqVDFhorzPS557KDO2Ptrp~EGubDbsp8cHSujBG5W0r4qSCpmtH4XkD5RnOzrMyTdPYADAajZXFFw4tYfkq-nVlCzJpzG3ZUs~UBgO0KfJ1GaZVBltByWFCf-zzhpZLP~eg9smPl-ptRxANMcBKoMC-ImN0v0UkM7JZmhWpSAGZ41v4b4CF3Tumg2xi9q9V3VaG7~Op8esFq-vH6YH3FkdUp4ghs9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced SB292 on Monday, a bill authorizing the state superintendent of education to issue subpoenas and summonses and to appoint special investigators within the office of general counsel for matters within the department's jurisdiction.

Proponents said subpoena authority will help the department compel testimony and records needed to investigate complaints and protect children and employees. \"During the investigative phase, you want some resolution whether somebody's done something wrong or not,\" said Senator Coleman Madison, who supported the measure. \"This helps facilitate that.\" Katie Langer of the Office of Prosecution Services told the committee the substitute draft clarifies how the power would be used and aligns the draft with what prosecutors need to secure evidence.

Opponents and some committee members raised separation-of-powers and oversight questions. Senator Albertson warned that subpoena power is a judicial tool and expressed concern about concentrating investigative and quasi-judicial authority in an appointed superintendent who can be hired and fired by a board. Several senators asked for statutory safeguards and limits, including reference to a judicial decision (the transcript referenced the \"Crandon rule\") that could expose officials to personal liability for acting outside their jurisdiction.

Committee discussion also covered the scope of records that might be subpoenaed in cases involving students, including medical and criminal justice records. Langer described standard court safeguards: motions to quash, in-camera review by a judge and sealing sensitive records when appropriate.

Following debate, the committee voted to report SB292 favorably to the full Senate. Sponsors and opponents said they will continue to work on statutory limits and procedural protections before floor consideration.

Ending: Supporters said the bill fills an enforcement gap for the education department, while critics asked for clearer statutory limits and protections against overreach. The committee recorded a favorable report and urged further drafting to address the concerns raised.

","SB292 would authorize the state superintendent of education to issue subpoenas and appoint special investigators; senators debated separation-of-powers concerns and safeguards before giving the bill a favorable report.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6592174,"Senate judiciary committee advances bill to push hospitals to bill patient insurers instead of filing probate liens",1101,506000,1607000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2923842-20c38e393794234e8f869cd0b4833d18&start=506&end=1607","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2923842-20c38e393794234e8f869cd0b4833d18/thumbnail_506000.jpg","/articles/6592174/Alabama/Senate-judiciary-committee-advances-bill-to-push-hospitals-to-bill-patient-insurers-instead-of-filing-probate-liens","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6592174-1796477219167bc9641bd53aa3b1cc6c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771100837&Signature=DjDQZpg~pRYib1r1VpJ0NFc~etbh-AHOiMw6XvgSrW1jsCtev-3TeEeM3SEBzwtpFbfajXIuem4TDACSWNQLNrCRiMNpJBpIvcgeCh6pb0Smr7q6sq4urAFsTf~f3nRo-zNyYpUdbX-ON0~KN9WP9aL~YfbC91tMLOmgpJfKzA8BmJ0YhnGCJ0fwEzl34xtlEUrnGpzn52MMdMmldLnFcHId9EOpD-CgPoPjQ5hWgQXxW8EQEX~vySk4IAMTnQl-rPGs6SJ3jOSKX-yHVwNQXLVqfIjZ93l-2azGxm4nDmg13xhE3-qP3iFn3TZM3fiFWzWRdlf5xECAzX6kJajmqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday approved MySB210, a bill that would, in certain circumstances, require hospitals to bill a patient's health plan (including Medicare, Medicaid or TRICARE) rather than filing a hospital lien in probate court, and adopted an amendment that substitutes existing statutory \"clean claim\" language and requires a reasonable inquiry into whether a patient has health coverage before a lien is filed.

Supporters said the change would protect injured patients who are not at fault from having liens recorded in their names and would direct hospitals to pursue payment from a patient's insurer when appropriate. \"Do we want that individual who has been injured through no fault of their own, do we want their insurance, health insurance, be it Medicare or Medicaid or TRICARE to pay for that hospital bill? I think we do,\" said Ms. Chan, the bill sponsor.

The amendment, explained by Mr. Haas, replaces an older, nonstatutory phrase in current law—\"accurate and properly coded claim\"—with the existing statutory definitions for \"clean electronic claims\" and \"clean written claims,\" making the billing standard specific to established law. The amendment also \"require[s] just a reasonable inquiry as to whether the person has health coverage prior to a lien being placed on them,\" Haas said.

Committee members raised two related lines of concern. Some questioned whether directing hospitals to accept programmatic rates (for Medicare/Medicaid/TRICARE) could reduce provider participation or shrink reimbursement margins; others pressed for clarity on how subrogation and recovery rights among insurers and providers would work if multiple payors claim a recovery. Mr. Haas and other supporters said existing subrogation rights for Medicare, Medicaid and private carriers would remain intact.

The committee adopted the amendment by voice vote, with a formal roll call taken on the bill as amended. The chair thanked the hospital association and other stakeholders and said staff would continue to work with interested parties to refine the language.

The committee's action advances the bill to the full Senate for further consideration; committee supporters said they would continue negotiating technical changes with providers and insurers.

The committee record shows the bill was called and advanced out of committee with the adopted amendment; members indicated continued work with stakeholders on statutory detail.

Ending: Lawmakers said they will keep negotiating technical clarifications as the bill moves toward the floor. No final Senate action was recorded in the committee transcript.","The committee approved MySB210 with an amendment that substitutes statutory \"clean claims\" language and requires a reasonable inquiry about a patient's coverage before hospitals may file probate liens; sponsors say the change protects patients on Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE and addresses hospital payment concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Senate Judiciary Committee actions (selected bills)

Committee advances bills to broaden prosecution of school threats; substitute adds mental-health screening and restitution

Committee approves bill giving state superintendent subpoena power after debate over judicial authority

Senate judiciary committee advances bill to push hospitals to bill patient insurers instead of filing probate liens