HB501 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Randy WoodRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Crimes, felonies, mandatory minimum sentences when committed while wearing a bullet proof vest or other body armor, Sec. 13A-5-6 am'd.

Summary

HB501 would add mandatory minimum prison terms for certain felonies when the offender was wearing body armor at the time of the crime.

What This Bill Does

It sets armor-based mandatory minimums for felonies. For Class A felonies involving a firearm or deadly weapon, or certain child sex offenses, the minimum is 20 years, but if the offender wore armor, it rises to 25 years. For Class B or C felonies involving a firearm, the minimum is 10 years, but if armor was worn, it becomes 5 years. The bill also notes that it would fall under exceptions to local-funding rules, so it does not trigger new local expenditure requirements.

Who It Affects

• Criminal defendants who commit felonies while wearing a bulletproof vest, body armor, or other ballistic protection (minimums vary by felony class).
• State and local government actors who handle sentencing and corrections (courts, prosecutors, and the Department of Corrections), with local funding implications addressed under constitutional exceptions.

Key Provisions

• Adds armor-based mandatory minimums to Section 13A-5-6: Class A felonies with firearm or deadly weapon used, or Class A sex offenses involving a child, have a baseline minimum of 20 years.
• If the defendant was wearing armor at the time of the Class A offense involving a firearm or deadly weapon, the minimum becomes 25 years.
• For Class B or C felonies with firearm use, the baseline minimum is 10 years; if armor was worn, the minimum is 5 years.
• The bill notes it is exempt from Amendment 621 local-funding requirements because it defines or amends a crime, not triggering a required 2/3 vote or local approval.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after enactment.

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