HB 266 expands Alabama's reckless endangerment law to specifically address risks to multiple people, creating a new offense for reckless conduct that endangers more than one individual. It increases penalties: endangering multiple people becomes a Class C felony (up from a misdemeanor for single-person endangerment), and using a firearm during such an act elevates the charge to a Class B felony. The bill directly affects individuals whose reckless actions - like reckless driving in a crowd or threatening a group - create serious injury risks to multiple people, with harsher consequences when firearms are involved. These changes clarify and strengthen penalties for group endangerment scenarios under existing Alabama law.
HB 226 changes Alabama's habitual offender law by treating "no contest" pleas (nolo contendere) as equivalent to guilty pleas for sentencing purposes. This means defendants who enter a no contest plea to a felony will now have that plea counted toward prior convictions used to enhance penalties under the habitual offender statute. The bill specifically amends Section 13A-5-9 to clarify that such pleas are included in the definition of "convicted" for determining enhanced sentences. It directly affects felony defendants in Alabama who use no contest pleas, as these pleas will now trigger stricter sentencing for repeat offenses. The change applies to Class A, B, and C felonies under the habitual offender provisions.
SB 156 establishes a process for courts to issue gun violence protective orders when an individual poses an immediate danger of causing injury to themselves or others. Law enforcement officers, teachers, or family members can petition for an ex parte order (temporary, valid until a hearing within 14 days) requiring the respondent to surrender all firearms and ammunition to law enforcement. If the danger continues, a one-year order may be issued, with provisions for renewal or early termination under specific conditions. Violating these orders would result in criminal penalties.
SB 44 extends the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits related to child sexual abuse in Alabama. Survivors who were under 19 during the abuse can now file claims up to 20 years after turning 19 or two years after the perpetrator’s criminal conviction (whichever is later), instead of the current six-year window. The bill also revives time-barred claims filed by January 1, 2029, and removes barriers like notice requirements, damage caps, and immunity protections for claims involving abuse occurring on or after October 1, 2026. It applies to cases against perpetrators or negligent organizations (like schools or care facilities) that failed to prevent or address the abuse. This change aims to align legal timelines with the reality of delayed disclosures by survivors.
SB 233 proposes to amend penalties for drivers who elude or attempt to elude law enforcement officers. It changes the classification of violations under existing law (subsections (a) or (b)), likely increasing penalties for this offense. The bill specifies that drivers must stop "at the nearest safe place," emphasizing officer and public safety during pursuits. This bill directly affects drivers who flee police and is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee.
HB 143 would upgrade penalties for motor vehicle accident violations in Alabama. It changes criminally negligent homicide caused by a vehicle operator from a Class C to a Class B felony and creates tiered penalties for failing to report accidents: Class C felony for physical injury, Class B for serious injury, and Class A felony for death. The bill also requires courts to consider accident victims eligible for restitution when convictions occur under these provisions. These changes directly affect drivers involved in accidents causing injury or death and the victims seeking compensation. The bill is pending committee review and would take effect October 1, 2026.
SB 203 strengthens protections for children and vulnerable individuals in Alabama by increasing penalties for certain sex crimes involving minors. It raises the age threshold for child victims in offenses like indecent exposure (making it a Class C felony if the victim is under 12) and expands the crime of transmitting obscene material to children to cover all electronic devices, removing the defense that undercover officers were posing as children. The bill also creates a new crime - *inpatient custodial sexual misconduct* - prohibiting sexual conduct between facility employees (in drug rehab or mental health centers) and patients, with consent explicitly not serving as a defense. These changes directly affect children under 12, patients in treatment facilities, and individuals accused of these specific offenses.
This bill streamlines Alabama's pretrial process for defendants charged with serious felonies (like murder, kidnapping, or rape). It requires courts to hold a single pretrial detention hearing within 10 days of arrest, which also satisfies the defendant's right to a preliminary hearing. Continuances (delays) are limited to 21 days unless both the prosecution and defense agree, and courts must document all proceedings. Appeals of detention decisions will go directly to the Court of Criminal Appeals.
HB 328 amends Alabama's arson law to specifically include cases where a fire is set "in conjunction with or to effectuate a theft" causing $25,000 or more in property damage. This new provision makes such acts a serious felony (arson in the first degree), directly affecting individuals who commit arson as part of a theft scheme. The bill establishes a mandatory minimum 20-year prison sentence for these offenses, requiring the sentence to run consecutively with any other related convictions. The law applies to any arson incident meeting the theft connection and damage threshold, not to standard property arson cases.
HB 168 amends Alabama's loitering law to clarify exemptions for mask usage during protests and authorize schools to set campus mask policies. It adds that wearing a medical or surgical mask during protests for disease mitigation (with possible verification) is exempt from loitering charges, while schools and colleges may establish their own mask rules for campuses. The bill does not require masks but gives local education authorities the power to create campus policies. Violations of school mask rules would lead to administrative discipline only, not criminal charges under the loitering law. This applies specifically to public schools and higher education institutions in Alabama.
