HB28 Alabama 2012 1st Special Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jack Williams

Republican

Session

First Special Session 2012

Title

Municipalities, mayors, vacancies, procedures for filling in municipalities with population of 12,000 or more inhabitants, Sec. 11-44G-2, Code of Alabama 1975, not to apply, Sec. 11-44G-2 am'd.

Summary

HB28 would add enhanced penalties to Alabama hate crimes when the crime is motivated by a victim's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.

What This Bill Does

The bill adds sexual orientation and gender identity or expression as protected motives for hate-crime penalties. If a crime is proven beyond a reasonable doubt to be motivated by these traits, the offender would face minimum sentences: Class A felony at least 15 years, Class B at least 10 years, Class C at least 2 years, with any applicable Habitual Felony Offender enhancements. For misdemeanors, the minimum would be a Class A misdemeanor with at least 3 months. It defines sexual orientation as heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality, and becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

Who It Affects

• Offenders convicted of crimes where the motive was the victim's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, who would receive longer sentences.
• Victims and communities with sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, who may have greater protection from bias-motivated crimes and potential deterrence.

Key Provisions

• Adds sexual orientation and gender identity or expression to protected motives for hate-crime penalties.
• Defines 'sexual orientation' as heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality.
• Imposes minimum sentences for felonies motivated by these motives: Class A ≥15 years, Class B ≥10 years, Class C ≥2 years, with applicable Habitual Felony Offender enhancements.
• Imposes minimum sentence for misdemeanors: Class A misdemeanor with at least 3 months.
• Requires motive to be proven beyond a reasonable doubt before applying the enhancements.

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

Subjects

Municipalities