HB116 Alabama 2020 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Prince ChestnutRepresentative
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2020
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 116 adds journalists to the list of people protected by the second-degree assault law, making it a Class C felony to injure someone when the offender intended to injure a journalist during the journalist's duties.
What This Bill Does
The bill amends the assault in the second degree statute to create a new scenario where a person who intends to injure a journalist during the journalist's duties and then injures someone else commits second-degree assault (Class C felony). It defines who counts as a journalist for this purpose and includes an affirmative defense if the journalist initially impedes movement or hinders law enforcement or first responders. It also states that this change is a new crime, so local-funding Amendment 621 requirements do not apply, and it becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects
Journalists and their employers (employees, independent contractors, or agents of news organizations) performing duties, who gain added legal protection against violence aimed at injuring them.
Potential offenders who injure or intend to injure a journalist during duties, since such acts could be charged as a Class C felony; the bill also provides an affirmative defense in some situations.

Key Provisions
Adds new subsection (8) to Section 13A-6-21: if a person, with the intent to cause physical injury to a journalist during the journalist's duties, causes physical injury to any person, that is second-degree assault (Class C felony). Includes an affirmative defense if the journalist initially impedes the offender's movement or impedes law enforcement/first responders at the scene.
Defines 'journalist' as a person who is an employee, independent contractor, or agent of a news entity that gathers and disseminates news to the public through various media (print, digital, radio, TV, etc.).
Classifies assault in the second degree as a Class C felony.
Section 2 states the bill is excluded from local-funds requirements under Amendment 621 because it creates a new crime or amends an existing one.
Section 3 establishes the effective date: the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Crimes and Offenses