HB83 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

K.L. Brown

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Law enforcement officer, eluding, enhanced felony penalty for serious physical injury or death to the pursuing officer, Sec. 13A-10-52 am'd.

Summary

HB83 would expand eluding penalties to an enhanced felony when death or serious injury results from a pursuit, add mandatory license suspension in those cases, and note local-funding implications under Amendment 621.

What This Bill Does

Currently eluding is a Class A misdemeanor, rising to a Class C felony only if an innocent bystander or third party is injured. HB83 adds an enhanced felony for cases where death or serious physical injury occurs to a pursuing officer, a bystander, or a third party. In those cases, the court must suspend the defendant's driver's license for 6 months to 2 years. The bill also addresses local-funding rules by stating it is exempt from Amendment 621 because it creates or amends a crime, and it becomes effective several months after passage and gubernatorial approval.

Who It Affects

• Defendants who elude a law enforcement officer; they could face an enhanced felony and mandatory driver’s license suspension if death or serious injury results.
• Law enforcement officers and the public (bystanders/third parties) who could be harmed during pursuits; penalties are designed to hold accountable those whose eluding actions cause such harm.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 13A-10-52 to apply an enhanced felony penalty when eluding results in death or serious physical injury to a pursuing officer, an innocent bystander, or a third party.
• The enhanced penalty applies only if the injuries are serious and involve the officer, bystander, or third party.
• Requires the court to suspend the defendant's driver's license for 6 months to 2 years in such cases.
• Addresses Amendment 621 (local-funding rules): the bill is exempt from those requirements because it defines a new crime or amends an existing one.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and 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