HB513 Summary

• Establishes the Alabama Background Check Service allowing authorized entities (employers, government agencies, nonprofits, housing authorities, educational institutions) to obtain criminal background checks on individuals for noncriminal justice purposes with written consent.

• Mandates law enforcement and correctional agencies collect biometric identifiers (fingerprints, photographs, palm prints, iris scans) from arrested persons, detainees, and unidentified human corpses and provide to ALEA for inclusion in state biometric repository.

• Authorizes law enforcement officers to use approved biometric identification devices with access to state and federal biometric repositories to identify individuals during lawful encounters.

• Establishes the Alabama Rap Back Program allowing ALEA to notify participating entities when individuals enrolled in the program are arrested or convicted, with annual enrollment fees not exceeding $12 per individual.

• Creates criminal penalties for misuse of background check reports as Class B misdemeanor; allows background check fees up to $30 plus additional costs for national checks, with proceeds deposited to Public Safety Fund; effective October 1, 2025.