HB28 Alabama 2015 Session

Updated Feb 24, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: David StandridgeRepresentative
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2015
Title: Criminal mischief in the second degree, crime involving church or religious building, mandatory minimum jail time for second or subsequent offenses, restitution a priority, Sec. 13A-7-22 am'd.
Summary: HB28 increases penalties and prioritizes restitution when criminal mischief involves churches or religious buildings.
What This Bill Does
It imposes mandatory minimum jail terms for second and third-or-subsequent criminal mischief convictions within five years if the damage involves a church or religious building. It keeps the base crime for second-degree mischief as a Class A misdemeanor (damages between $500 and $2,500). It requires restitution to the church or religious entity to be paid as a first priority before fines or costs. It also states the bill is exempt from local-funds requirements under Amendment 621 because it defines or amends a crime, and it becomes law on a set effective date after governor approval.

Who It Affects
Offenders convicted of criminal mischief in the second degree, especially those with a second or third+ conviction within five years involving damage to a church or religious building or property in such building.
Churches and other religious entities that would receive restitution ordered by the court.

Key Provisions
Amends §13A-7-22: criminal mischief in the second degree remains a Class A misdemeanor for property damage $500–$2,500.
Second conviction within five years involving church/religious building damage: mandatory minimum jail term of 10 days.
Third or subsequent conviction within five years involving church/religious building damage: mandatory minimum jail term of 30 days.
For convictions involving church/religious buildings: court must order restitution as a first priority before fines, costs, or other court-ordered payments.
Section 2 explains the bill is excluded from Amendment 621 local-funds requirements because it defines a new crime or amends an existing crime.
Section 4: The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after gubernatorial 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