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HB 71ALABAMASession 2026rsState Billon floor

Alabama makes unauthorized retention of deceased organs by medical examiners a Class C felony

Original title: Crimes and offenses; medical examiners, criminal penalties imposed for retention of deceased individual's organ without notice and consent

Last action · January 14, 2026: Read for the Second Time and placed on the CalendarSponsor: Chris England

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓
Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
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What This Bill Would Do

Official description

Crimes and offenses; medical examiners, criminal penalties imposed for retention of deceased individual's organ without notice and consent

Why it matters

Deceased individuals' families gain legal protections against unauthorized organ retention by forensic staff, backed by criminal felony penalties for violations.

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.

Directly affected

medical examiners

Medical examiners face criminal felony charges if they retain deceased individuals' organs without required next of kin notification and consent.

Directly affected

next of kin of deceased individuals

Next of kin gain the right to receive notifications and provide or withhold approval before a medical examiner retains organs for research or non-diagnostic purposes.

Directly affected

Department of Forensic Sciences

Medical examiners employed by the department are subject to the new criminal penalties and procedural notification rules.

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 happens if a medical examiner keeps an organ without family consent?
The medical examiner commits a if they retain a deceased individual's organ or organs without proper notification and consent under the specified circumstances.
Are there any exceptions where notification is not required?
Yes. Notification is not required if directed otherwise by the Governor, the Attorney General, a district attorney, or an order of a circuit court judge.
When does this new law go into effect?
The act becomes effective on October 1, 2026.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Currently on floor. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Passed.

Procedural history

4 actions
  1. Jan 14, 2026House
    Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
  2. Jan 14, 2026HouseCommittee
    Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
  3. Jan 13, 2026HouseCommittee
    Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
  4. Jan 13, 2026HouseIntroduced
    Read 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.

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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

Chris EnglandHouse · District 70DemocraticPrimary sponsor

Connected Entities

Governor, Attorney General, Chris England and 2 more
PersonGovernor“Has authority to direct medical examiners regarding organ retention notification”Map →
PersonAttorney General“Has authority to direct medical examiners regarding organ retention notification”Map →
PersonChris England“Representative sponsoring the bill in the lower house”Map →
OrganizationDepartment of Forensic Sciences“Employs medical examiners performing duties in counties across the state”Map →
otherSection 22-19-85, Code of Alabama 1975“Statute being amended by the bill”Map →

Sources

Open source document

alison.legislature.state.al.us

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance65
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy15
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment10
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz30
    Current news / social attention level

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