HB348 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Terri CollinsRepresentative

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Dan WilliamsBecky Nordgren

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

HB348 would raise the age of consent for sexual acts to 18 and align several sexual offenses with that higher age.

What This Bill Does

It changes several sections of the Alabama Code to set the age of consent at 18 and to apply that age to rape, sodomy, sexual abuse, and related offenses. Under the bill, sexual acts with someone aged 13–17 by an adult (with at least a two-year age difference) could be charged as second-degree rape or sodomy, both Class B felonies. It also redefines sexual abuse and related acts with penalties ranging from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class C felony depending on prior offenses, and it extends a prohibition on enticing a minor to include those under 18. The bill defines a child as someone under 18, specifies lack of consent rules, and states the act could become law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval; it also notes a local-funding requirement exemption under Amendment 621 because the bill creates or amends crimes.

Who It Affects

• Adults 18+ who engage in sexual acts with someone aged 13–17 would face higher charges (e.g., second-degree rape or sodomy) if the age difference is at least two years.
• Minors aged 13–17 are protected by the higher age standard, and acts against them could be prosecuted under revised offenses with specified penalties.

Key Provisions

• Raises the age of consent for sexual acts to 18 in Sections 13A-6-62, 13A-6-64, 13A-6-67, 13A-6-69, 13A-6-70, and 13A-6-120.
• Imposes a two-year age-gap rule for certain offenses (e.g., rape and sodomy) when the offender is at least 18 and the victim is 13–17.
• Penalties include Class B felonies for second-degree rape and second-degree sodomy; sexual abuse in the second degree is a Class A misdemeanor (with Class C felony on second/subsequent offenses within one year).
• Enticement or urging of a minor to engage in sexual acts or contact becomes a Class C felony.
• Defines a child as anyone under 18 and clarifies lack of consent through forced coercion or incapacity.
• Effective date is the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.
• The bill is exempt from Amendment 621 local-funding voter requirements because it creates or amends crimes (not subject to the local-funding restriction).

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