HB52 Alabama 2016 1st Special Session Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Phillip PettusRepresentative

Republican

Session

First Special Session 2016

Title

Hate crimes, crimes against certain first responders included, Sec. 13A-5-13 am'd.

Summary

HB52 would expand hate-crime penalties by adding enhanced punishment when crimes are motivated by a victim’s public-safety work in official capacity, applying to first responders regardless of their job title.

What This Bill Does

It amends Section 13A-5-13 to add enhanced penalties for offenses motivated by the victim’s engagement in public safety in official capacity, regardless of the victim’s employment status as a police officer, firefighter, EMS worker, or rescue squad member. It sets minimum sentences for felonies: Class A ≥ 15 years, Class B ≥ 10 years, Class C ≥ 2 years, and Class D ≥ 18 months; and for misdemeanors, at least a Class A misdemeanor with a minimum of 3 months. It notes the act is exempt from local funding requirements under Amendment 621 because it defines or amends a crime. It becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor’s approval.

Who It Affects

• Victims who are first responders (police, firefighters, EMS, or rescue squad members) receive enhanced protection because crimes against them based on public-safety engagement could carry higher penalties.
• Offenders who commit bias- or public-safety-motive crimes would face stricter penalties based on the class of felony or misdemeanor and could be subject to habitual-felon offender rules.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 13A-5-13 to add enhanced penalties for offenses motivated by the victim’s engagement in public-safety in official capacity, regardless of the victim’s employment status as LEO, firefighter, EMS, or rescue squad member.
• Felony minimum sentences: Class A ≥ 15 years, Class B ≥ 10 years, Class C ≥ 2 years, Class D ≥ 18 months; Class A misdemeanor for such offenses with a minimum of 3 months.
• Misdemeanor provision: requires minimum Class A misdemeanor sentence with at least 3 months when motive includes race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, or disability, or public-safety engagement in official capacity.
• Section 3 clarifies Amendment 621 exemption; the act is exempt from local-funding vote/approval requirements because it defines or amends a crime.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.
• Named the Officer Justin D. Sollohub Act.

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