SB223 Alabama 2023 Session

Updated Feb 22, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Vivian Davis FiguresSenator
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2023
Title: Relating to criminal procedure; to amend Section 15-25-39, Code of Alabama 1975, to further provide for the definitions of the Child Physical and Sexual Abuse Victim Protection Act.
Summary: This bill expands the Child Physical and Sexual Abuse Victim Protection Act by including child witnesses in the offenses covered.
What This Bill Does
It changes the definition of 'a physical offense, sexual offense, or violent offense' to include crimes where a child under 12 or a protected person is a witness, not just a victim. The offenses that count include sex offenses, violent offenses, aggravated child abuse, any degree of assault, domestic violence, elder abuse, or protection-order violations, and attempts to commit any of these offenses. This means more cases involving child witnesses can fall under the protections and procedures of the Act. The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after the bill is passed and approved by the Governor.

Who It Affects
Children under 12 years old who are witnesses become eligible for protections under the Act when they witness qualifying offenses.
Criminal justice players (law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts) and defendants charged with the listed offenses, as the scope of the Act expands to include child witnesses and protected persons.

Key Provisions
Expands the definition of 'a physical offense, sexual offense, or violent offense' to include cases where a child under 12 or a protected person is a witness.
Lists specific offenses covered: sex offenses, violent offenses, aggravated child abuse, assault in any degree, offenses involving domestic violence, elder abuse, or protection-order violations, and attempts to commit any listed offense.
Adds applicability conditions: applies when the victim or witness is a child under 12 or a protected person as defined in Section 15-25-1.
Sets effective date: 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: Criminal procedure, to further provide for the definitions of the Child Physical and Sexual Abuse Victim Protection Act