HB165 Alabama 2011 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Jack Williams
Republican
Co-Sponsors: Harry Shiver Ed Henry Wes Long Kurt Wallace Ken Johnson Paul Beckman
Session: Regular Session 2011
Title: Property owners, limited immunity from civil liability in defense of self, others, and property from person unlawfully on property and engaging in criminal conduct, exceptions
Summary: HB165 would give property owners and their agents limited civil immunity when defending against people unlawfully on the property who are engaging in criminal conduct, with some exceptions.
What This Bill Does
If a person unlawfully enters to commit a crime, they assume the risk of injuries caused by the owner's reasonable and proportionate defense. The owner and their agents would be immune from civil liability for those reasonable and proportionate defensive actions. The immunity covers civil liability only and does not shield other types of liability, and it does not apply if the owner created a hidden dangerous condition to trap or injure the person. The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after it is passed and approved by the Governor.

Who It Affects
Property owners and their agents, who would receive limited immunity from civil liability when defending against criminal activity on their property.
Individuals who unlawfully enter or attempt to enter the property for purposes of engaging in criminal conduct, who would be subject to the risk assumption and cannot use civil liability claims against the owner for reasonable defensive actions.

Key Provisions
Defines 'property' to include real property and buildings, structures, and improvements thereon.
Provides limited civil immunity to property owners and their agents for reasonable and proportionate acts in resisting criminal conduct on their property.
States that individuals who unlawfully enter for criminal purposes assume the risk of injury from the owner's resistance (civil liability context only).
Excludes immunity in cases where a hazardous or hidden dangerous condition on the property was created to prevent crime or to injure the entering criminal.
Effective date: the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Crimes and Offenses