HB288 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

TaShina MorrisRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Physical injury, allow for a gun shot wound to be included in the definition of physical injury, Sec. 13A-1-2 am'd.

Summary

HB288 would add penetrating gunshot wounds to the definition of serious physical injury in Alabama law.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends Section 13A-1-2 to include penetrating gunshot wounds as a form of serious physical injury. This means a penetrating gunshot wound would be treated the same as other serious injuries for purposes of criminal law definitions and penalties tied to serious physical injury. The basic definition of physical injury (impairment or substantial pain) stays the same, but the serious category now explicitly covers gunshot wounds. The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor's approval.

Who It Affects

• Victims of penetrating gunshot wounds, who would be classified as suffering serious physical injury under the law.
• Law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts, who apply the serious physical injury standard in charging decisions, case evaluations, and sentencing in cases involving gunshot wounds.

Key Provisions

• Section 13A-1-2 is amended to include penetrating gunshot wounds in the definition of serious physical injury.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and governor's approval.
• The existing definition of physical injury remains impairment of physical condition or substantial pain (no change to that definition).

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

Subjects

Physical Injury