SB44 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris ElliottSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Crimes and offenses, crimes motivated by race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, or physical or mental disability, to include employment as a law enforcement officer within the protected class, Sec. 13A-5-13 am'd.

Summary

SB 44 would create enhanced penalties when a crime against a law enforcement officer is motivated by the officer's employment.

What This Bill Does

It amends Section 13A-5-13 to impose higher criminal penalties if the offender's crime against a law enforcement officer is proven beyond a reasonable doubt to be motivated by the officer's job. The bill sets minimum sentences by felony class (A: at least 15 years, B: at least 10 years, C: at least 2 years, D: at least 18 months) and requires a minimum of 3 months for a Class A misdemeanor when the motive is the officer’s employment. It also notes that prior felonies can extend penalties under the Habitual Felony Offender Act, and it states the bill is exempt from certain local-funding requirements due to defining a new or amended crime; it becomes effective the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Law enforcement officers who could be victims, as offenses against them motivated by their employment would carry higher penalties.
• Criminal defendants who commit crimes against law enforcement officers, as their sentences could be increased if the motive is shown to be the officer’s employment.

Key Provisions

• Adds enhanced penalties when a misdemeanor or felony is committed against a law enforcement officer and the crime is proven to be motivated by the officer's employment.
• Felonies: Class A at least 15 years; Class B at least 10 years; Class C at least 2 years; Class D at least 18 months; potential application of Habitual Felony Offender Act for prior felonies.
• Misdemeanors: Class A misdemeanor with a minimum sentence of 3 months when the offense is motivated by the officer’s employment.
• The protected status now explicitly includes employment as a law enforcement officer among factors that can motivate criminal penalties.
• Constitutional/local-funding note: the bill is exempt from Amendment 621 local expenditure voting requirements because it defines a new crime or amends an existing one.
• Effective date: the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses