SB264 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bill Holtzclaw

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Crime of theft of valor, created, criminal penalties, limitation period tolled, Sec. 13A-8-10.5 added

Summary

This bill creates a new crime called theft of valor, making it illegal to fraudulently obtain or falsely claim military decorations for material gain, with tolling of the statute of limitations and specific penalties.

What This Bill Does

It prohibits knowingly wearing, purchasing, selling, or otherwise transferring for value any U.S. military decorations to gain something of value, and it prohibits falsely claiming such decorations to gain a benefit. The offense carries different penalties depending on the medal involved, with higher penalties for certain decorations. The statute of limitations does not start until the facts constituting the offense are discovered. The bill defines what counts as a 'material gain' and establishes penalties ranging from misdemeanor to felony, including a Class C felony for offenses involving the Congressional Medal of Honor, and sets minimum fines for several high-level medals.

Who It Affects

• Individuals who knowingly commit theft of valor by misrepresenting or improperly obtaining military decorations would face charges and penalties
• Military decoration recipients and the public, as the bill aims to protect the integrity of honors and reduce fraud relating to military medals

Key Provisions

• Creates new criminal Section 13A-8-10.5 to establish theft of valor as a crime
• Defines terms: Congressional Medal of Honor and material gain, including various forms of value and benefits obtained
• Prohibits specific conduct (wearing, purchasing, selling, forging blank certificates, etc.) for medals/decorations to gain a material benefit, and prohibits false representations of awards
• Sets penalties: generally a Class B misdemeanor, with specific decorations triggering a Class A misdemeanor and a $5,000 minimum fine; Congressional Medal of Honor offenses are Class C felonies
• Limitations period tolling: statute of limitations does not begin until discovery of the facts constituting the offense
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and approval
• Constitutional amendment note: the bill is exempt from certain local expenditure requirements under Amendment 621 because it creates a new crime or amends a crime definition

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