SB32 Summary

• Amends Sections 16-25-23 and 36-27-28 of the Alabama Code to allow courts to garnish retirement benefits from the Teachers' Retirement System and Employees' Retirement System for criminal restitution, fines, court costs, and fees.

• Permits garnishment only when restitution ordered is $1,000 or greater, the individual is currently receiving retirement benefits, and the case is assigned to the district attorney's restitution recovery division.

• Allows courts to order the retirement systems to pay no more than 25 percent of a retiree's or beneficiary's gross monthly benefit (excluding child support or health insurance deductions) toward criminal obligations.

• Requires court orders to include specific information: individual's name, date of birth, Social Security number, case numbers, county, amounts owed, and circuit clerk contact information.

• Becomes effective October 1, 2024, and requires overpayments to be returned to the respective retirement system within 60 days.