The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Alabama HB 265 creates criminal offenses and penalties for the unauthorized collection, testing, and transfer of DNA
Last action · February 5, 2026: Read for the Second Time and placed on the CalendarSponsor: Ben Robbins
Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.
What This Bill Would Do
Alabama HB 265 establishes new criminal penalties ranging from a Class A misdemeanor to a for intentionally collecting, testing, selling, or disclosing an individual's or genetic data without , effective October 1, 2026.
Residents gain legal protections over their biological samples and genetic data, making unauthorized commercial sharing, testing, or retention a punishable crime.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
individuals providing DNA samples
Individuals receive new legal protections and require clear disclosures and express consent before their DNA samples or genetic data can be collected, tested, or transferred.
genetic testing companies
Genetic testing companies must ensure compliance with existing state law to operate under the bill's exemptions.
institutions of higher education
Public or private institutions of higher education are exempt from the new restrictions when collecting, using, or retaining DNA or genetic data for noncommercial research and instruction.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What constitutes express consent under this bill?
Does this bill apply to law enforcement or higher education research?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
Follow the record
Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently on floor. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Passed.
Procedural history
4 actions- Feb 5, 2026HouseRead for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
- Feb 4, 2026HouseCommitteeReported Out of Committee House of Origin
- Jan 15, 2026HouseCommitteePending Committee Action in House of Origin
- Jan 15, 2026HouseIntroducedRead for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Judiciary
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Creation of Tiered DNA Crimes
The bill structures unauthorized DNA activities into three distinct degrees ranging from misdemeanors for collection/access violations up to felonies for transfers and testing disclosures.
Connected Entities
Sources
alison.legislature.state.al.us
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
Publisher tools