SB286 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

J.T. WaggonerSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Vivian Davis FiguresScott BeasonLarry DixonTom ButlerWendell MitchellBobby D. SingletonArthur OrrHinton MitchemQuinton RossRusty GloverLarry MeansZeb LittleDel MarshJim Preuitt

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Law enforcement officers, assaults of while performing lawful duty, classified as assault in the second degree, to include off-duty officers employed by a private entity, Sec. 13A-6-21 am'd.

Summary

SB286 expands second-degree assault protections to off-duty private-entity peace officers and adds teachers and health care workers to protected victims during the performance of their duties.

What This Bill Does

The bill makes off-duty peace officers employed by private entities count as peace officers performing lawful duties when they wear an approved uniform and have employer approval. It extends the circumstances that can lead to a second-degree assault conviction to include offenses aimed at preventing a peace officer from performing duties, including off-duty officers in private employment, and adds teachers and health care workers as protected victims in various duty-related assault scenarios. It keeps second-degree assault as a Class C felony and clarifies related legal and constitutional funding notes.

Who It Affects

• Off-duty peace officers employed by private entities, who would be recognized as peace officers performing lawful duties when in an approved uniform, increasing their protection under assault laws.
• Teachers and employees of public educational institutions, and health care workers (including hospital staff and related personnel) who would become protected victims of second-degree assaults when assaulted in the course of their duties.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 13A-6-21 to treat off-duty peace officers employed by private entities as peace officers performing a lawful duty when in an approved uniform with employer approval.
• Expands second-degree assault to cover: (a) attempts or actions to prevent peace officers, detention or correctional officers, emergency medical personnel, or firefighters from performing their lawful duties, including off-duty private-entity peace officers in approved uniform.
• Adds protections for teachers or public educational institution employees and for health care workers (and related hospital/health facilities staff) against certain assaults in the course of performing duties.
• Involves an offense of administering drugs or substances to impair another person as a form of second-degree assault.
• Classifies second-degree assault as a Class C felony (existing framework retained).
• Notes the bill would involve local fund expenditures but is exempt from the local-funding requirement under Amendment 621 due to specified exceptions.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Law Enforcement Officers