HB343 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jamie Ison

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Bestiality and possession of obscene matter depicting bestiality, crime established, penalties

Summary

HB343 would create a new Alabama crime of bestiality, defining sexual conduct with animals and making it a Class A misdemeanor, with limited exceptions and a set effective date.

What This Bill Does

It establishes the crime of bestiality and defines what counts as sexual conduct or sexual contact with an animal. It makes knowingly engaging in, aiding, permitting, or promoting such acts on premises under one's control a Class A misdemeanor, with exceptions for normal animal husbandry, conformation judging, or accepted veterinary practices. It states the bill is exempt from local-funding approval requirements because it defines a new crime. It becomes law on the first day of the third month after the bill is enacted and approved by the Governor.

Who It Affects

• Individuals who knowingly engage in or facilitate sexual conduct or contact with animals, or who organize/promote such acts for commercial or recreational purposes.
• Owners or controllers of premises where such acts occur, or those who knowingly permit them on their property.

Key Provisions

• Section 1 defines Sexual Conduct and Sexual Contact with an animal.
• Section 2 makes the crime of bestiality a Class A misdemeanor and lists scenarios including individual participation, aiding others, permitting acts on owned premises, and organizing/promoting acts for commercial/recreational purposes; it also provides exemptions for animal husbandry, conformation judging, and veterinary practices.
• Section 3 states the bill is excluded from local-funding requirements under Amendment 621 because it defines a new crime.
• Section 4 sets the 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