Bill > SB31

This bill makes significant changes to Alabama's laws regarding terrorist threats, expanding definitions and increasing penalties for making threats in schools and other public spaces. The bill redefines key terms like "credible threat" and modifies the criminal classification for making terrorist threats, upgrading some offenses from misdemeanors to felonies. For first-degree terrorist threats, the bill changes the classification from a Class C to a Class B felony, and for second-degree threats, introduces a new provision that makes it a Class D felony if the person has a prior terrorist threat conviction or commits a second threat within one year. The bill mandates that school principals immediately notify law enforcement when a terrorist threat is made and requires a mandatory one-year suspension for students charged with making such threats. Additionally, the bill introduces a new provision for restitution, allowing courts to order individuals convicted of making terrorist threats to pay up to $10,000 in expenses to law enforcement, emergency services, and affected entities. The restitution can cover investigation costs, emergency response expenses, and personnel costs incurred during the incident. The changes aim to enhance school safety, provide clearer guidelines for handling terrorist threats, and impose more significant consequences for individuals who make such threats, with the act set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Justice

https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/bill-search