HB312 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Prince ChestnutRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Crime of assault, second degree, journalist, intent to cause physical injury to a journalist during the performance of their duties causing physical injury, Sec. 13A-6-21 am'd.

Summary

HB 312 adds journalists to the protected group under the second-degree assault statute, making it a Class C felony to assault a journalist during their duties if the offender intends to injure the journalist and injures another person.

What This Bill Does

It creates a second-degree assault offense when someone intends to injure a journalist during the journalist’s duties and physically injures a person. It defines journalist broadly to include employees, independent contractors, or agents who gather and disseminate news across various media. It provides an affirmative defense if the journalist initially impedes movement or hinders law enforcement or first responders at the scene. It clarifies local-funding implications by noting the bill creates a new crime and is exempt from Amendment 621 requirements; it becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Journalists (employees, independent contractors, or agents) who perform news gathering and dissemination; their protection is expanded to cover actions taken against them while performing duties.
• Anyone who intends to injure a journalist during the journalist’s duties and causes physical injury to another person; these individuals could face a Class C felony under the new provision.

Key Provisions

• Adds a new second-degree assault provision: if a person intends to injure a journalist during the journalist's duties and causes physical injury to any person, it is a Class C felony.
• Defines 'journalist' broadly to include those who gather news and disseminate information through newspapers, books, wire services, websites, TV, radio, or other news outlets, and who engage in newsgathering to inform the public.
• Provides an affirmative defense if the journalist initially impedes the freedom of movement or impedes law enforcement or first responders at the scene.
• Affirmed that the act is a new crime, and thus exempt from local-funding requirements under Amendment 621; effective date is 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