HB222 Alabama 2013 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Craig Ford
Independent
Session: Regular Session 2013
Title: Bestiality and possession of obscene matter depicting bestiality, crime established, penalties
Summary: HB222 would establish the crime of bestiality in Alabama, set it as a Class A misdemeanor, and include specific exemptions.
What This Bill Does
It makes it illegal to knowingly engage in sexual conduct or contact with an animal, to cause or aid another in doing so, to permit such acts on property you control, or to organize or promote services involving sexual acts with animals. The offense carries a Class A misdemeanor. There are exemptions for accepted animal husbandry practices, conformation judging, and veterinary medicine. It is designed to be exempt from local funding requirements under Amendment 621 because it defines a new crime, and it becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects
Individuals who knowingly engage in sexual conduct or contact with an animal, or who cause, permit, organize, promote, or observe such acts, could be charged with a Class A misdemeanor.
People involved in legitimate animal care or activities (such as farmers practicing animal husbandry, organizers of conformation judging, or licensed veterinarians) are exempt from the criminal provisions when acting within those accepted practices.

Key Provisions
Section 1 defines sexual conduct and sexual contact with an animal.
Section 2 makes bestiality a crime when someone knowingly engages in, causes, permits, or promotes such acts, labeling it a Class A misdemeanor.
Section 2 provides exemptions for accepted animal husbandry practices, conformation judging, and veterinary medicine.
Section 3 states the bill is exempt from Amendment 621 local-funding requirements because it creates a new crime.
Section 4 establishes the act's effective date as the first day of the third month after passage and governor 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