HB237 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Phillip PettusRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Capital crimes, aggravating circumstances if victim of a capital offense was a law enforcement or correctional officer, firefighter, paramedic, or emergency medical technician, Sec. 13A-6-22.2 added

Summary

HB237 would create harsher penalties for assault in the first or second degree when the victim is a law enforcement officer, firefighter, paramedic, emergency medical technician, or correctional officer.

What This Bill Does

It adds a new section that sets Class A felony penalties for first-degree assault and Class B felony penalties for second-degree assault when the victim is one of the specified public safety workers while they’re on duty or because of their status. It also defines who counts as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, paramedic, and emergency medical technician. The bill states it is exempt from local fund expenditure requirements, since it creates a new crime or amends definitions, and it becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Victims: law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and correctional officers would receive enhanced penalties if assaulted on duty or because of their status.
• Offenders: people who commit first- or second-degree assault against those workers would face higher charges (Class A for first degree, Class B for second degree).

Key Provisions

• Adds 13A-6-22.2 to create enhanced penalties: Class A felony for first-degree assault if the victim is a protected worker on duty or assaulted because of status.
• Adds 13A-6-22.2: Class B felony for second-degree assault if the victim is a protected worker on duty or assaulted because of status.
• Defines who counts as a law enforcement officer, emergency medical technician, firefighter, and paramedic for purposes of the enhanced penalties.
• Official names: Law Enforcement Protection Act of 2017 and Justin David Sollohub Law.
• Excludes the bill from local-fund expenditure requirements under Amendment 621 by noting it defines a new crime or amends definitions; sets effective date as the first day of the third month after passage and governor 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