HB370 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Randy WoodRepresentative

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Paul DeMarcoMike HubbardAllen Farley

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Airbag fraud, crime of created, penalties, enhanced penalties for physical injury, Sec. 13A-11-270 am'd, Sec. 13A-11-271 repealed

Summary

HB370 renames the airbag fraud crime and expands penalties for counterfeit or nonfunctional airbags, adding related deceptive practices and injury-based penalties, and repeals the old airbag-without-airbag fraud statute.

What This Bill Does

Defines airbag, counterfeit airbag, and nonfunctional airbag; makes it a crime to import, install, reinstall, sell, or offer to sell counterfeit or nonfunctional airbags; makes it illegal to install or request installation of a device that falsely indicates a working airbag; and makes it illegal to sell a vehicle with the intent to deceive about the presence of counterfeit or nonfunctional airbags. It imposes enhanced penalties if the fraud causes physical injury, and repeals the existing offense of fraudulent sale of a motor vehicle without an airbag. The bill notes it creates a new crime and is exempt from certain local-funding requirements due to constitutional exceptions. It also takes effect on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Businesses and individuals who import, install, sell, or distribute airbags or related diagnostic devices and could face criminal penalties for counterfeit, nonfunctional, or deceptive airbags.
• Vehicle buyers, owners, or lessees who may receive a vehicle with a counterfeit or nonfunctional airbag or a misrepresented airbag status, potentially risking injury.

Key Provisions

• Defines terms: airbag; counterfeit airbag; nonfunctional airbag.
• Renames fraudulent repair of an airbag to airbag fraud and expands crimes to include importing, installing, selling counterfeit or nonfunctional airbags, and devices that mislead diagnostic systems or deceive buyers about airbags.
• Sets penalties: airbag fraud is a Class A misdemeanor; if it causes physical injury, it is a Class C felony.
• Criminalizes importing, installing, selling, or offering to sell counterfeit or nonfunctional airbags; installing or requesting installation of counterfeit or nonfunctional airbags and deceiving buyers about airbags.
• Repeals Section 13A-11-271 (fraudulent sale of a motor vehicle without an airbag).
• Affirms local-funding exception: the bill is exempt from Amendment 621 requirements because it creates or amends a crime.
• Effective date: becomes law on 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