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SB49 • 2026

Crimes and offenses; use of taser prohibited on restrained individual, penalties for violations

Crimes and offenses; use of taser prohibited on restrained individual, penalties for violations

Crime
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 bill specifies it becomes effective on October 1, 2026, though metadata shows conflicting status labels regarding final passage.

Ban on Using Tasers on Restrained People

This bill makes it a crime for law enforcement officers to use tasers on people who are restrained or unable to resist.

What This Bill Does

  • Defines what counts as a taser and a law enforcement officer under this rule.
  • Makes it illegal for an officer to use a taser on someone who is handcuffed, in body cuffs, or otherwise unable to resist.
  • Sets the punishment for breaking this rule at a Class C felony level.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Law enforcement officers
  • Individuals who are restrained by police

Terms To Know

Taser
Any device designed to shoot an electric shock or charge to temporarily stop a person from moving.
Class C felony
A serious crime with specific punishments set by state law.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not say what happens if an officer uses a taser before restraining someone.
  • The definition of 'law enforcement officer' refers to another section of the code and is not listed in this text.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-13 Senate

    Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

  2. 2026-01-13 Senate

    Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary

Official Summary Text

Crimes and offenses; use of taser prohibited on restrained individual, penalties for violations

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
SB49 INTRODUCED
Page 0
SB49
PS4FSRG-1
By Senator Coleman
RFD: Judiciary
First Read: 13-Jan-26
PFD: 09-Jan-26
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PS4FSRG-1 01/09/2026 THR (L)ma 2026-112
Page 1
PFD: 09-Jan-26
SYNOPSIS:
This bill would provide that it is unlawful for
a law enforcement officer to use a taser on an
individual who is restrained.
This bill would also provide criminal penalties
for violations.
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to crimes and offenses; to provide that it is
unlawful for a law enforcement officer to use a taser on an
individual who is restrained; 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
following terms have the following meanings:
(1) LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. As defined in Section
36-21-40, Code of Alabama 1975.
(2) TASER. Any mechanism that is designed to emit or
project an electronic, magnetic, or other type of charge or
shock for the purpose of temporarily incapacitating an
individual.
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SB49 INTRODUCED
Page 2
individual.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 13A-3-27, Code of Alabama
1975, it shall be unlawful for a law enforcement officer to
use a taser on an individual who is restrained or otherwise
unable to resist, including when an individual has been placed
in handcuffs, body cuffs, or any other restraining device.
(c) A violation of this section is a Class C felony.
Section 2. This act shall become effective on October
1, 2026.
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