The Alabama House approved a bill that would increase penalties for loitering along state highways on a 90-0 vote, with 12 abstentions.
House Bill 24, sponsored by Rep. Reed Ingram, R-Pike Road, stems from an attempt by Montgomery to arrest panhandlers, which was never implemented and drew federal court injunctions.
“We’ve had a lot of people on the roads, soliciting, loitering, mental health, drugs, etc., and this bill would make it unlawful to loiter on a state-maintained road,” Ingram said.
Under Alabama law, loitering is a violation, punishable by a fine of up to $200 or a maximum of 30 days in jail. The legislation would raise the punishment for second and subsequent convictions, subjecting people to up to three months in jail or a $500 fine.
The bill passed the House on Thursday.