HB173 Alabama 2017 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Connie C. Rowe
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2017
Title: Law enforcement officers, unlawful to pull or draw a firearm or other deadly weapon upon, criminal penalties, Secs. 13A-6-21, 13A-6-23 am'd.
Summary: HB173 would raise penalties for assaulting certain public safety workers and would classify threats to law enforcement with a weapon as a felony.
What This Bill Does
Raises the second-degree assault penalty to Class B felony when the offender intends to prevent a peace officer, detention or correctional officer, emergency medical personnel, utility worker, or firefighter from performing a lawful duty and injures someone. Keeps the current rule that threatening a law enforcement officer with a pistol, firearm, or other deadly weapon is a Class C felony. Includes a constitutional note about local-funds requirements, stating the bill is exempt from Amendment 621's local-expenditure rules because it creates or amends a crime. Effective date: becomes law January 1, 2017 after approval.

Who It Affects
Frontline public safety workers (police, detention/correctional officers, emergency medical personnel, utility workers, firefighters) who could face a higher penalty (Class B felony) for second-degree assault when the assault is intended to prevent them from performing their duties.
Law enforcement officers and individuals who threaten them with a pistol, firearm, or other deadly weapon, who would face a Class C felony for such threats.

Key Provisions
Amends §13A-6-21 to make certain second-degree assaults against listed public safety workers a Class B felony when the assault is to prevent them from performing their lawful duties.
Amends §13A-6-23 to make threatening a law enforcement officer with a pistol, firearm, or other deadly weapon a Class C felony.
Includes a provision about local expenditure requirements under Amendment 621, stating the bill is exempt because it defines a new crime or amends an existing crime.
Effective date: January 1, 2017.

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