Prison bill fails, autism bill passes

Published 12:05 am Wednesday, May 24, 2017

The Alabama prison construction bill failed to pass the legislature before the current session ended last Fri., May 19.

The proposal would’ve built up to three mega prisons, and would give local entities the authority to build the prisons and then lease them back to the state. The bill’s language was changed by the Senate.

The bill may come up if Gov. Kay Ivey calls for a special session.

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The autism insurance bill, which requires some insurance plans to cover autism treatment, including applied behavioral analysis therapy, which focuses on improving speech, behavioral and social skills, passed both bodies of the legislature.

Ivey signed the measure into law on Friday, according to reports.