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SB50 • 2026

Criminal procedure; use of taser, prohibited on restrained individual

Criminal procedure; use of taser, prohibited on restrained individual

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 specify the exact penalties for violating this law, leaving that detail uncertain.

No Tasers for Restrained People

This law makes it illegal for police officers to use tasers on people who are already restrained.

What This Bill Does

  • Defines a 'taser' as any mechanism designed to emit or project an electronic, magnetic, or other type of charge or shock for the purpose of temporarily incapacitating an individual.
  • Makes it unlawful for law enforcement officers to use a taser on an individual who is restrained or otherwise unable to resist.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Law enforcement officers
  • Individuals who are restrained by police

Terms To Know

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.
Law Enforcement Officer
As defined in Section 36-21-40, Code of Alabama 1975.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify the consequences for law enforcement officers who violate this rule.
  • This law will start on October 1, 2026.

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

Criminal procedure; use of taser, prohibited on restrained individual

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
SB50 INTRODUCED
Page 0
SB50
9J789BM-1
By Senator Coleman
RFD: Judiciary
First Read: 13-Jan-26
PFD: 09-Jan-26
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9J789BM-1 01/08/2026 THR (L)ma 2026-114
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.
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to criminal procedure; to provide that it is
unlawful for a law enforcement officer to use a taser on an
individual who is restrained.
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.
(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
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SB50 INTRODUCED
Page 2
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.
Section 2. This act shall become effective on October
1, 2026.
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