SB33 Alabama 2015 2nd Special Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Bill Hightower
Republican
Session: Second Special Session 2015
Title: Crimes and offfenses, offering or accepting money or anything of value for an aborted fetus prohibited, criminal penalties
Summary: SB33 would ban offering or accepting anything of value for an aborted fetus or any portion of one and impose Class B felony penalties, creating a new crime with limited exceptions for handling fetal tissue.
What This Bill Does
It prohibits any person, entity, or association from offering or accepting anything of value in connection with an aborted fetus or any portion. It allows reasonable payments for transportation, implantation, processing, preservation, quality control, or storage of fetal tissue. Violations would be punishable as a Class B felony. The bill is exempt from local-funds requirements under Amendment 621 because it defines a new crime.

Who It Affects
Abortion providers and clinics that perform abortions or handle aborted fetal tissue would be criminally liable if they offer or accept anything of value for an aborted fetus.
Researchers, tissue processors, and other organizations involved in handling, transporting, or storing fetal tissue would be restricted from offering or accepting anything of value, with exceptions for legitimate handling payments.

Key Provisions
Section 1(a): It is illegal for any person, entity, or association to offer or accept anything of value for an aborted fetus or any portion of one.
Section 1(b): 'Anything of value' does not include reasonable payments for transportation, implantation, processing, preservation, quality control, or storage of human fetal tissue.
Section 1(c): A violation is punishable as a Class B felony.
Section 2: The bill is exempt from Amendment 621 local-funds requirements because it defines a new crime or amends an existing crime.
Section 3: The act becomes effective immediately after governor's 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