HB315 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

April WeaverSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Service dogs, harassing, injuring, or causing death of, crime of established, penalties, restitution of certain expenses

Summary

HB315 would make it illegal to harass, injure, or kill a service dog, establish penalties, and require restitution for related expenses.

What This Bill Does

It defines key terms related to service dogs, harassment, injury, and the value of a service dog. It makes certain acts against a service dog illegal, with penalties that range from Class C to Class A misdemeanors depending on the act and intent. It requires restitution for damages and allows civil lawsuits, with courts able to award costs and attorney fees. It also notes that the bill is exempt from certain local-funding rules under constitutional exceptions.

Who It Affects

• Service dog users and their service dogs, who would gain legal protection from harassment, injury, or death and could recover costs and damages when violations occur.
• People who harass, injure, or kill a service dog, or whose dog harasses a service dog, who would face criminal penalties and potential restitution or civil liability.

Key Provisions

• Defines harassment, injury, notice, service dog, and the 'value' of a service dog and related expenses (medical, replacement/training, lost wages, etc.).
• Makes continuing harassment toward a known or noticed service dog a Class C misdemeanor after notice is given.
• Makes injuring a service dog a Class B misdemeanor if done with reckless disregard, and a Class A misdemeanor if intentional or willful.
• Makes causing the death or permanent disability of a service dog a Class A misdemeanor (whether reckless or intentional).
• Requires the offender to pay full restitution for damages to the service dog and user, including medical costs, replacement/training, lost wages, and other economic losses, with restitution potentially offset by civil damages.
• Allows the service dog user to file a civil suit for violations; courts may award costs and attorney fees to the prevailing party; restitution and civil actions operate alongside each other.
• Notes that the bill is exempt from certain local-funding requirements under Amendment 621 because it defines a new crime or amends an existing one.

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