HB563 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris EnglandRepresentative

Democrat

Co-Sponsor

Terri Collins

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Sexual misconduct, sexual contact in cases other than circumstances covered by sexual abuse or when consent is obtained by fraud, Sec. 13A-6-65 am'd.

Summary

HB563 expands Alabama's sexual misconduct law to include sexual contact without consent and makes it a Class A misdemeanor, with an effective date after passage and governor approval and a constitutional-local-funds exemption.

What This Bill Does

The bill adds a new offense for engaging in sexual contact without consent under circumstances not covered by sexual abuse laws or where consent was obtained by fraud or artifice. It applies to both sexes and to intercourse and deviant sexual acts, and states that consent is not a defense for these offenses. It classifies all sexual misconduct as a Class A misdemeanor. It also notes how local-funds rules apply under Amendment 621 but provides an exemption so the bill can become law without local-entity approval; the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Individuals who commit sexual misconduct by engaging in sexual contact without consent (or where consent was obtained by fraud), who would face a Class A misdemeanor.
• Local government entities and the state's local-funding rules, which are addressed by a constitutional exemption in the bill to avoid requiring local approval for this change.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 13A-6-65 to include sexual contact without consent as a crime, in addition to sexual intercourse, under specified circumstances.
• Consent is not a defense to prosecution under the new sexual contact provision, and the bill defines the offense as a Class A misdemeanor.
• The bill contemplates amendments that interact with Amendment 621 regarding local-fund expenditure requirements, but it provides an exemption so it can become law without local entity approval.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and governor's 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