SB27 Alabama 2012 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Gerald O. Dial
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2012
Title: Hate crimes, crimes of arson, burglary, or criminal mischief committed against religious property, additional penalties, Sec. 13A-5-13 am'd.
Summary: SB27 would increase penalties for arson, burglary, or criminal mischief when these crimes are committed against religious property and motivated by bias against protected characteristics.
What This Bill Does
It amends Section 13A-5-13 to impose additional penalties for arson, burglary, or criminal mischief against religious property (churches, cemeteries, and other places of worship). The enhanced penalties apply when the underlying offense is shown to be motivated by a victim's race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, or disability, and the crime targets the religious character of the property. The bill sets minimum sentences for felonies (Class A: at least 15 years; Class B: at least 10 years; Class C: at least 2 years) and a minimum of three months for certain misdemeanors. It also defines religious property to include churches, religious cemeteries, and other places of worship with fixtures or religious objects.

Who It Affects
Offenders who commit arson, burglary, or criminal mischief against religious property, with bias or hate motive against protected characteristics.
Religious property owners and religious communities (e.g., churches, cemeteries, and places of worship) seeking stronger protection from hate-motivated crimes.

Key Provisions
Adds additional penalties under 13A-5-13 for arson (any degree), burglary (any degree), and criminal mischief (any degree) when committed against religious property and tied to the religious character of that property.
Penalties apply if the offense was motivated by the victim's actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, or physical or mental disability.
Felonies receive minimum sentences: Class A ≥ 15 years, Class B ≥ 10 years, Class C ≥ 2 years.
Misdemeanors motivated by protected characteristics receive a minimum sentence of three months for a Class A misdemeanor.
Religious property is defined as churches, religious cemeteries, or other places of religious worship, including fixtures or objects within.
Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor's approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Crimes and Offenses