HB305 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Laura HallRepresentative

Democrat

Co-Sponsor

Merika Coleman

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Drugs, prohibit unlawful sale of drug paraphernalia and controlled substances on or within a certain distance from churches or schools, Secs. 13A-12-250, 13A-12-260 am'd.

Summary

HB305 broadens bans on selling drug paraphernalia near schools and churches and raises penalties for related offenses.

What This Bill Does

It prohibits selling drug paraphernalia on or within 1,000 feet of school campuses and within church grounds or within 1,000 feet of a church. It expands what counts as drug paraphernalia, increases penalties for paraphernalia offenses (including higher grades for certain acts and felony charges if a firearm is involved), adds a $250 fine for unlawful delivery or sale near campuses or churches, and makes paraphernalia contraband subject to forfeiture.

Who It Affects

• Group 1 affected and how: Students, school staff, and local communities around school campuses and churches would be affected by the new 1,000-foot bans on the sale of drug paraphernalia.
• Group 2 affected and how: People who sell or use drug paraphernalia (and those who deliver it or sell it knowing it will be used for illicit drugs, including to minors) would face higher penalties, possible felonies, fines, and forfeiture of paraphernalia.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits sale of drug paraphernalia on or within 1,000 feet of a school campus.
• Prohibits sale of drug paraphernalia on the grounds of or within 1,000 feet of a church or place of worship.
• Expands the definition of drug paraphernalia to include a wide range of equipment and materials used in growing, manufacturing, packaging, or consuming controlled substances.
• Penalties: use or possession with intent to use paraphernalia to produce drugs is a Class A misdemeanor; most paraphernalia offenses are Class C felonies; possession with a firearm during such offenses can be a Class B felony.
• Delivery or sale of paraphernalia knowing it will be used to violate drug laws is a Class A misdemeanor; subsequent violations are Class C felonies; delivering to a person under 18 can be a Class B felony.
• Adds a $250 fine for unlawful delivery or sale conducted on campus or within 1,000 feet of campus boundaries or a church.
• Paraphernalia used in violations becomes contraband and is subject to forfeiture.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage.
• Constitutional note: the bill cites Amendment 621 about local expenditures but states it falls within exceptions, so it would take effect without a 2/3 local-approval vote.

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

Subjects

Drugs