Alabama lawmakers are advancing legislation known as “TJ’s Law” that would create an opt-in electronic notification system to alert parents or guardians when a minor receives a traffic citation, following broad bipartisan support in the Alabama House of Representatives.
TJ’s Law teen traffic citation notifications would be handled through an ALEA electronic alert system for parents.
House Bill 318, sponsored by State Rep. Jamie Kiel (R-Russellville), authorizes the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) to develop and manage a parental electronic notification program for traffic infractions involving minors. Legislative tracking records show the bill passed the House with overwhelming support and has been transmitted to the Senate for further consideration.
According to the bill text introduced, ALEA would be empowered to establish and operate an electronic system that allows a parent or legal guardian to enroll to receive notice when a minor is cited for a traffic violation. The agency would also be authorized to adopt rules and set eligibility requirements for participation.
The legislation states that implementation and continued operation are contingent upon available funding and would take effect October 1, 2026, if enacted.
Under the bill, a parent or guardian must provide proof of custody to enroll in the system, and enrollment automatically terminates when the minor turns 19. A minor could also remove a parent or guardian from the notification program by providing documentation showing emancipation, independent status, marriage, or having borne a child, according to the bill language.
A legislative fiscal note attached to HB318 estimates the system would increase ALEA’s obligations by roughly $100,000 for development and implementation costs.
The measure is commonly referred to as “TJ’s Law” because of a fatal 2022 crash in Tuscumbia involving two young people.
After the death of her son, one of the victims’ mothers discovered prior seatbelt citations issued when her son was a minor and has publicly supported parental notification legislation. Similar versions of the bill were introduced in prior sessions but did not ultimately become law.
Kiel said ALEA has developed the software framework needed to support the opt-in notification system without adding roadside duties for law enforcement officers. The system would apply to citations — not warnings — issued to minors for traffic infractions.
If approved by the Senate and signed into law, the measure would establish Alabama’s first statewide opt-in electronic notification system specifically designed to alert parents when their minor child receives a traffic ticket.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
