HB137 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mac McCutcheonMadison County Commissioner

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Sexual offenses, age of consent for sexual acts increased, Secs. 13A-6-62, 13A-6-64, 13A-6-67, 13A-6-69, 13A-6-70, 13A-6-120 am'd.

Summary

HB137 would raise Alabama's age of consent for sexual acts from 16 to 18 and update related sexual offense laws accordingly.

What This Bill Does

It increases the age of consent to 18 and amends several offenses (rape in the second degree, sodomy in the second degree, sexual abuse in the second degree, and related provisions) to apply to acts involving someone under 18. It redefines who is considered a child for these offenses and clarifies lack of consent rules in sexual offenses. The bill includes language about local funding under Amendment 621, noting an exemption because it defines or amends a crime, and it becomes effective on the first day of the third month after the Governor signs it.

Who It Affects

• Minors under 18: gain stronger protections; sexual acts with someone under 18 would be treated as crimes under the updated statutes.
• Adults 18 and older who engage in sexual acts with someone under 18: could face updated charges such as second-degree rape, second-degree sodomy, or second-degree sexual abuse, depending on the act and the age difference.
• Local government entities: the bill mentions potential new local fund requirements but is described as exempt from certain local-funding approval requirements because it defines or amends a crime.

Key Provisions

• Raise the age of consent for sexual acts to 18.
• Amend Sections 13A-6-62, 13A-6-64, 13A-6-67, 13A-6-69, 13A-6-70, and 13A-6-120 of the Code to reflect the new age and related offenses.
• Define a child as someone under 18 for purposes of this article and clarify lack of consent rules.
• Effective date: the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval; local-funding language indicates exemption under Amendment 621 because the bill defines or amends a crime.

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