SB239 Alabama 2013 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Roger Bedford, Jr.
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2013
Title: Crimes and offenses, motor vehicles, driver who fails to report, give information, and render reasonable assistance at the scene of an accident resulting in serious injury or death guilty of Class B felony, Sec. 32-10-6 am'd.
Summary: SB239 would make it a Class B felony for a driver who fails to report or assist at the scene of a crash when someone's death results.
What This Bill Does
It changes the penalty for death-related reporting/aid violations from Class C to Class B felony. It keeps the existing penalties for other outcomes (property damage remains Class A misdemeanor; non-fatal injury remains Class C felony). It notes the bill creates/amends a crime and is exempt from certain local-funding rules, with an effective date of the first day of the third month after the governor signs.

Who It Affects
Drivers who fail to report, provide information, or render reasonable assistance after a crash—penalties would be a Class B felony if the crash results in death.
The general public and crash victims' families in Alabama—greater deterrence and accountability for hit-and-run or abandonment cases, improving the likelihood that someone would help at crash scenes.

Key Provisions
Death-related violations of reporting/assistance duties become Class B felony.
Property-damage violations remain Class A misdemeanor; non-fatal injuries remain Class C felony.
Effective date: first day of the third month after governor's approval.
The bill is treated as a crime amendment and is exempt from local funding approval requirements under Amendment 621.

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