HB204 Alabama 2014 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Johnny Mack Morrow
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2014
Title: Service animals, to prohibit interference with under certain conditions, to prohibit the injury or intentional killing of a service animal, to provide criminal penalties, to require restitution
Summary: HB204 would protect service animals from interference and harm, impose criminal penalties for violations, and require restitution for damages.
What This Bill Does
It defines a service animal as a dog trained to assist a person with a disability, and makes it a crime to interfere with the service animal or jeopardize its safety or the user. Penalties start as a Class B misdemeanor for reckless interference, with a second or later offense as Class A misdemeanor. It also makes it a crime to injure or kill a service animal, with reckless acts punished as Class A misdemeanor and intentional acts as Class C felony. If convicted, the offender must pay full restitution for damages to both the service animal and the user, covering animal value, replacement/training costs, medical expenses, and lost wages.

Who It Affects
Dog owners or people in control of a dog: could be charged if they interfere with a service animal or jeopardize its safety, with penalties rising from Class B to Class A misdemeanor on repeat offenses.
People who intentionally injure or kill a service animal: could face a Class C felony.
Service animals and their users: protected from interference and harm and eligible for restitution if a violation occurs.
Victims and their families: eligible for restitution covering animal value, replacement/training, veterinary and medical costs, and lost wages.

Key Provisions
Definition: service animal means a dog individually trained to perform work or tasks for a person with a disability.
Interference provision: reckless interference with a service animal or its user is a Class B misdemeanor; second or subsequent offense is a Class A misdemeanor.
Injury provision (reckless): injuring or killing a service animal is a Class A misdemeanor.
Injury provision (intentional): intentionally injuring or killing a service animal is a Class C felony.
Restitution: convicted individuals must pay full restitution for all damages, including animal value, replacement/training costs, veterinary and medical expenses, and user lost wages.
Amendment/Expenditure note: the bill is treated as creating a new crime, so it is exempt from local-funds expenditure requirements under Amendment 621.
Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and 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: Animals