Bill would create juvenile intervention pilot program in 5 Alabama counties

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ( WIAT ) — A bill could see the creation of an intervention pilot program impacting juveniles and their support systems in select Alabama counties.

Penned by State Rep. Reed Ingram (R-Pike Road), HB33 would create a pilot intervention program for juveniles who have committed a nonviolent offense.

Under the legislation, a juvenile offender and their parent or guardian must complete a two-hour intervention course conducted by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. This would be required either while the subject is detained or within 30 days of their release. The juvenile must also pass a test on the course’s overview and material, which was not described in the bill.

Failure to complete either of these requirements can lead to a delinquency petition being filed or both parties being held in contempt of court. The proceedings of the pilot program would primarily be monitored through the subject’s parole officer.

According to the bill’s draft, if passed, the program would be established by Sept. 1, 2025, and start operating on Oct. 1, 2025. The program would be repealed by 2030 after a five-year trial run.

The Department of Youth Services will give annual reports on the program, including completion stats and if the subjects reoffended within the following five years.

The bill is currently awaiting action by the Alabama House Committee.

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