Traffic infractions, requires law enforcement to contact parent or guardian when citing minor for traffic violation
Summary
HB285, known as "TJ's Law," amends Alabama’s traffic-ticket statute to require a citing agency to make a reasonable effort to notify a minor driver’s emergency contact when the minor is cited for any traffic infraction. The bill applies to minors under 19 years of age and specifies that a single attempted phone call, text message, or letter sent by U.S. mail will count as a reasonable effort to notify, if an emergency contact is available.
The measure does not change the underlying traffic offense or citation process itself; rather, it adds a notification requirement intended to ensure a parent, guardian, or other emergency contact is informed when a young driver receives a traffic ticket. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025, and amends Section 12-12-56 of the Code of Alabama 1975.
Impact
HB285 creates a new statutory duty for law enforcement and other citing agencies in Alabama when issuing traffic citations to minors under 19. It modifies Section 12-12-56 to add subsection (c), establishing a minimum notification standard and clarifying that one attempted call, text, or mailed letter satisfies the reasonable-effort requirement. The bill affects law enforcement agencies, minors cited for traffic infractions, and the emergency contacts listed for those minors, but it does not alter penalties for traffic violations or the handling of uniform traffic tickets beyond the notification provision.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have broad support in the House, passing overwhelmingly on third reading and in related floor actions. The voting history shows large bipartisan majorities, with only a small number of dissenting votes and no recorded committee opposition in the materials provided. Overall, the sentiment around the bill is favorable and consistent with a child-safety or family-notification purpose.
Contention
The main point of contention, to the extent one is visible in the voting record, is limited and not explained in the provided transcripts. The few no votes suggest some members may have had concerns about imposing an additional notification obligation on law enforcement, the adequacy of the bill’s definition of "reasonable effort," or the practicality of contacting emergency contacts in every case. However, no specific objections, amendments, or committee debate are included in the record provided.