Alabama House approves updated immunity rules for law enforcement after heated debate

The Alabama House on Tuesday passed HB202, a bill that revises how criminal and civil proceedings involving law-enforcement use of force are handled and adds a pretrial hearing for officers facing criminal charges. The measure passed as substituted by a vote of 75 ayes, 26 nays and 3 abstentions.

Supporters said the bill modernizes a 49-year-old legal framework and is intended to aid recruitment and retention of officers by clarifying when law enforcement has legal protections. Representative Jim Reynolds, sponsor of HB202, said the measure ‘‘repeals some 49-year-old language that allowed shooting a fleeing felon’’ and aligns state law with recent case law. He told colleagues the measure “pauses” criminal proceedings to allow a judge to determine whether an officer acted within the scope of training and duties before…