SB48 • 2026

Law enforcement; four-point restraint, use prohibited

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Coleman (M)
Last action: 2026-01-13
Official status: Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on criminal penalties, but mentions that violations are Class A misdemeanors.

Law Enforcement; Prohibiting Four-Point Restraint

This bill stops law enforcement officers from using the hog-tie position and face-down positions that can harm breathing or blood flow, and requires agencies to have rules against these practices.

What This Bill Does

Stops police officers from using the hog-tie position on people they detain or transport.
Does not allow police officers to put anyone in a face-down position that could hurt their breathing or blood flow.
Requires all law enforcement agencies to have rules against using four-point restraints.

Who It Names or Affects

Law enforcement officers who must follow new rules about how they restrain people.
People who are detained or arrested and will not be hog-tied or put in dangerous face-down positions.

Terms To Know

Four-point restraint: A method of restraining someone by tying their hands behind their back and their legs together, usually while they are lying face down on the ground.
Law enforcement agency: An organization that employs police officers to maintain public safety and enforce laws.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what other restraint methods can be used instead of four-point restraints.
It is unclear how the new rules will affect existing training programs for law enforcement officers.

Bill History

2026-01-13 Senate
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
2026-01-13 Senate
Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary

Official Summary Text

Law enforcement; four-point restraint, use prohibited

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

SB48 INTRODUCED
Page 0
SB48
6YJT23Z-1
By Senator Coleman
RFD: Judiciary
First Read: 13-Jan-26
PFD: 09-Jan-26
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6YJT23Z-1 01/09/2026 THR (L)ma 2026-108
Page 1
PFD: 09-Jan-26
SYNOPSIS:
This bill would prohibit law enforcement
officers from using a four-point restraint, also known
as the hog-tie position, to restrain an individual.
This bill would prohibit law enforcement
officers from placing an individual in a face-down
position that restricts oxygen or blood flow to the
individual's head or neck
This bill would require law enforcement agencies
to adopt policies and procedures prohibiting the use of
the four-point restraint.
This bill would also provide criminal penalties
for violations.
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to law enforcement; to prohibit the use of
certain techniques by law enforcement officers; to require law
enforcement agencies to adopt related policies and procedures;
and to provide criminal penalties for violations.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. (a) For the purposes of this section, the
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SB48 INTRODUCED
Page 2
Section 1. (a) For the purposes of this section, the
following terms have the following meanings:
(1) FOUR-POINT RESTRAINT. To restrain or confine an
individual face-down on the ground by connecting or fastening
the individual's hands and legs behind the individual's back.
(2) LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY. As defined in Section
36-21-40, Code of Alabama 1975.
(3) LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. As defined in Section
36-21-40, Code of Alabama 1975.
(b) A law enforcement officer shall not do either of
the following:
(1) Use a four-point restraint to detain, restrain, or
transport any individual.
(2) Place any individual in a face-down position that
restricts oxygen or blood flow to the individual's head or
neck.
(c) Each law enforcement agency shall include a
prohibition against the use of a four-point restraint in the
agency's existing policies and procedures.
(d) The use of four-point restraint in violation of
this section is a Class A misdemeanor.
Section 2. This act shall become effective on October
1, 2026.
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