SB528 Summary

• Amends Section 15-22-36, Code of Alabama 1975 to assign the Board of Pardons and Paroles responsibility for registering victims of certain crimes and updating their contact information for board hearing notifications.

• Requires the board to use an automated victim notification system to maintain and update victim contact information on a continual basis rather than relying solely on victims to register themselves.

• Establishes that victims named in indictments, immediate family members of deceased victims, parents or guardians of minor victims, and other registered interested persons must receive 30 days' written notice of board action by certified mail, electronic transmission, or other commonly accepted methods consistent with their preferred mode of communication.

• Mandates the board exercise due diligence to locate victims or family members by searching automated victim notification system records, state records (driver's license, tax, voter registration), and United States Postal records, with board employees executing a "certificate of due diligence" if victims cannot be located.

• Becomes effective immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor.