HB 243, the Devinee Rooney and John Wesley Holt Safe Streets Act, amends Alabama law to increase penalties for causing death through traffic violations and drug-related incidents. It raises the penalty for causing death by driving in violation of specific traffic laws (Sections 32-5A-191 or 32-5A-191.3) from a misdemeanor to a Class C felony, and creates a new offense for knowingly selling fentanyl-containing drugs that cause death (excluding licensed medical professionals). The bill also clarifies that victims of traffic-related crimes under Sections 32-10-1 through 32-10-5 are eligible for restitution. These changes directly affect drivers in fatal traffic accidents, drug sellers, and crime victims seeking restitution.
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 31 increases penalties for making terrorist threats in the first or second degree. It requires school officials to immediately contact law enforcement when a student makes a terrorist threat, and establishes procedures for student suspensions, readmittance, and restitution for victims. The bill directly affects individuals making threats (facing harsher criminal penalties), schools (mandating immediate reporting), and students involved in such incidents (subject to suspension and restitution requirements). Key provisions include enhanced criminal penalties, mandatory law enforcement notification by schools, and defined processes for student suspension and victim restitution. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee and does not specify exact penalty amounts or detailed suspension procedures in the provided context.
HB 11, titled "Jolee's Law," prohibits judges from granting youthful offender status to individuals aged 16 or older charged with capital murder (per Section 13A-5-40) or murder (per Section 13A-6-2(a)(1)). It directly affects defendants in these specific homicide cases, requiring them to be charged, arrested, and tried as adults rather than as youthful offenders. The bill amends Alabama law to block youthful offender status in these cases, though defendants may qualify if charges are later reduced to lesser offenses. It also adds victim notification requirements (10 days prior to hearings) and mandates courts to consider victim injury evidence before ruling on youthful offender status. The bill is pending in the House Judiciary Committee as of January 2026.
HB 7 increases penalties for making terrorist threats in Alabama, elevating the first-degree offense to a Class B felony (from Class C) and the second-degree offense to a Class D felony (from Class A misdemeanor). It also requires public school principals to immediately notify law enforcement when a student's conduct potentially involves such a threat and mandates a mandatory one-year school suspension for students charged with making a terrorist threat in either degree. The bill specifies conditions for student readmittance and requires convicted individuals to pay restitution to victims. This directly affects K-12 students, school administrators, law enforcement, and courts by tightening legal consequences for threats targeting schools, public spaces, or officials.
