SB215 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Greg J. Reed

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Crimes and offenses, public safety communications, interference with, crime established, interferences with a public safety communication or damage to equipment, penalties

Summary

SB215 creates a new crime, 'interference with public safety communication,' making certain disruptions of emergency communications a Class C felony.

What This Bill Does

It defines what counts as public safety communication and lists actions that would be interference, such as damaging equipment, tampering with devices, disrupting transmissions, or intercepting encrypted communications. Violating these rules would be a Class C felony, with law enforcement allowed to seize the involved equipment and the court to order its destruction or forfeiture. Some people are exempt from prosecution, including certified officers acting in the line of duty, agency personnel, individuals with written permission from a chief of a public safety agency, and utility workers. The bill becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage, and it is stated to be exempt from the local-funding requirements of Amendment 621 because it creates a new crime rather than merely increasing costs.

Who It Affects

• Individuals who knowingly disrupt or damage public safety communications (e.g., equipment, devices, or transmissions) would face a Class C felony.
• Law enforcement, fire service, 911 personnel, and emergency services agencies are protected by definitions of protected communications and would have authority to seize and see equipment involved.
• Authorized agency personnel and utility workers, or anyone with written permission from a agency head, are exempt from prosecution for activities within their official duties.
• Local governments and public safety entities are affected by the enforcement provisions and possible equipment forfeiture, though the bill is exempt from local-funding trigger requirements.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the crime of interference with public safety communication and defines 'public safety communication' (radio, data, or other transmissions used by law enforcement, fire services, 911, or emergency personnel).
• Outlines specific acts that constitute interference, including damaging or removing equipment, disrupting transmission, tampering with devices, and intercepting encrypted transmissions.
• Sets the penalty as a Class C felony and requires seizure and court-ordered destruction or forfeiture of related equipment.
• Provides exemptions for: (a) certified law enforcement officers; (b) agency personnel acting officially; (c) persons with written permission from a public safety agency head; (d) utility personnel.
• Requires law enforcement to seize equipment used in violations; court may destroy or forfeit such equipment.
• States the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and Governor approval.
• Notes that the bill is excluded from Amendment 621 local-funding requirements because it defines a new crime (not due to increased local expenditure).

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