SB331 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rodger SmithermanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Terrorist threats, crime further defined, specify that schools and churches are protected, Sec. 13A-10-15 am'd.

Summary

SB331 expands Alabama’s terrorist-threat law to cover threats against churches, other religious properties, and schools, and makes such threats a Class C felony.

What This Bill Does

It adds religious property and schools as protected targets in the crime of making a terrorist threat. It defines 'threat' and 'property' with specific criteria and lists Weapons of Mass Destruction definitions. It sets the offense as a Class C felony. It also notes that, although the bill could require local funding, it is exempt from local-funding requirements because it creates or amends a crime, and it includes an effective date.

Who It Affects

• People who threaten violence or property damage against protected targets (religious properties or schools) would face a Class C felony charge.
• Religious institutions, schools, and their communities would have strengthened legal protection from threats.

Key Provisions

• Expanded protected targets to include churches, other religious real property, and public or private schools.
• Defines THREAT with specific criteria: verbal/written/electronic statement; communicated to another person; unequivocal, unconditional, immediate; and causing sustained fear.
• Classifies making a terrorist threat as a Class C felony.
• Defines WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION to include destructive devices, toxic chemical weapons, biological agents, toxins, vectors, or dangerous radiation.
• Clarifies that the bill is exempt from Amendment 621 local-funding requirements because it creates or amends a crime, and sets its 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

Terrorist Threats