SB207 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Clyde ChamblissSenator

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

SB207 would raise penalties for assaults on public safety workers by making first-degree assaults against them a Class A felony and second-degree assaults a Class B felony when the victim is on duty or targeted because of their status (LEO, firefighter, paramedic, EMT, or correctional officer).

What This Bill Does

The bill adds a new Code section that increases penalties for assault in the first degree and second degree when the victim is a law enforcement officer, firefighter, paramedic, or emergency medical technician, including correctional officers. Specifically, first-degree assaults become Class A felonies and second-degree assaults become Class B felonies in these cases. It also provides definitions for who counts as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, paramedic, and emergency medical technician. Additionally, the bill notes it creates a local-funding impact under Amendment 621 but is exempt from the usual local- funding vote requirements because it changes crime definitions.

Who It Affects

• Public safety workers (law enforcement officers, correctional officers, firefighters, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians) who would face higher felony penalties if assaulted while performing duties or because of their status.
• Local governments and public safety agencies in Alabama, which could be affected financially due to the bill's impact on local expenditures, though the bill is stated to be exempt from the local-funding requirement.

Key Provisions

• Creates enhanced penalties: assault in the first degree (Class A felony) if the victim is a law enforcement officer, firefighter, paramedic, or emergency medical technician while on duty or because of the victim's status.
• Creates enhanced penalties: assault in the second degree (Class B felony) under the same victim categories and circumstances.
• Defines who counts as a law enforcement officer, emergency medical technician, firefighter, and paramedic for the purposes of this statute.
• Notes that the bill would require a new or increased local expenditure under Amendment 621, but it is exempt from that local-funding requirement because it amends the crime definitions.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and the governor's 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