HB535 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arnold MooneyRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Shelby Co., churches, deadly physical force, use in self-defense or defense of others, const. amend.

Summary

HB 535 would add a Shelby County local constitutional amendment allowing deadly force in self-defense or defense of others on church premises under certain conditions, with immunity from prosecution.

What This Bill Does

It would apply only in Shelby County and on church premises, defining key terms. It creates a legal presumption that deadly force is justified if the defender reasonably believes someone is about to use force against a person on the church property during certain serious crimes, and it says there is no duty to retreat on such premises. It provides immunity from criminal prosecution and civil liability for justified force, with a pretrial immunity hearing; if immunity is proven, charges are dismissed, otherwise the case goes to trial with the state proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. It also allows standard law enforcement investigation but restricts arrests unless there is probable cause that the force used was unlawful.

Who It Affects

• People on church premises in Shelby County (employees, volunteers, members, and others authorized) who may be justified in using deadly force in self-defense or defense of others under the outlined conditions.
• Law enforcement in Shelby County, which would follow standard investigations but may refrain from arrest unless there is probable cause that the force used was unlawful.

Key Provisions

• Applies only in Shelby County and creates a local constitutional amendment related to deadly force on church premises.
• Defines terms: Church, Deadly Physical Force, Force, Premises.
• Establishes a legal presumption that deadly force is justified in self-defense or defense of another when a person reasonably believes a targeted individual on church property is using or about to use force, during certain crimes (death, serious injury, first-degree robbery, or first-degree kidnapping).
• Eliminates the duty to retreat on church premises where the person has the right to be, effectively standing ground.
• Provides immunity from criminal prosecution and civil liability for justified force, with a pretrial immunity hearing; if immunity is proven, charges are dismissed; if not, trial proceeds with the state proving guilt beyond reasonable doubt; law enforcement can investigate but may not arrest unless there is probable cause the force was unlawful.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Churches