SB217 Summary: Honor and Opportunity Probation with Enforcement Act of 2011

• Authorizes judicial circuits in Alabama to establish HOPE programs targeting moderate to high-risk probationers using swift, certain, and proportionate sanctions to reduce violations and recidivism.

• Presiding judges may establish HOPE programs in consultation with district attorneys and chief probation officers, involving all system actors including probation officers, judges, law enforcement, and defense attorneys.

• Requires programs to include regular random drug testing, immediate arrest for violations, graduated confinement periods, incentives for compliance, and referral to certified substance abuse treatment for repeated drug users.

• Programs must collect key process and outcome measures including enrollment data, violation types, sanctions imposed, jail stays, revocations, employment status, and cost savings, reporting annually to the Alabama Sentencing Commission.

• Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor; passed by the Senate 27-0 on May 31, 2011.