HB312 Alabama 2019 Session

Under existing law, a person commits the crime of assault in the second degree if the person, with intent to cause physical injury to a teacher, employee of a public educational institution, or health care worker during or as a result of the performance of his or her duties, causes physical injury to any person

This bill would provide that a person commits the crime of assault in the second degree if the person, with intent to cause physical injury to a journalist, during or as a result of the performance of the journalist's duties, causes physical injury to any person

Amendment 621 of the Constitution of Alabama 1901 prohibits a general law whose purpose or effect would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds from becoming effective with regard to a local governmental entity without enactment by a 2/3 vote unless: it comes within one of a number of specified exceptions; it is approved by the affected entity; or the Legislature appropriates funds, or provides a local source of revenue, to the entity for the purpose

The purpose or effect of this general law would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Amendment 621

If this bill is not enacted by a 2/3 vote, it will not become effective with regard to a local entity unless approved by the local entity or until, and only as long as, the Legislature appropriates funds or provides for a local source of revenue

Relating to the crime of assault; to amend Section 13A-6-21, Code of Alabama 1975, to provide that a person commits the crime of assault in the second degree if the person, with intent to cause physical injury to a journalist, during or as a result of the performance of the journalist's duties, causes physical injury to any person; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds.