SB83 Alabama 2023 Session

Under existing law, child abuse is a Class C felony

This bill would expand the definition of child abuse to include certain physical contact of a child five years of age or under and certain physical contact of children with certain mental or developmental disabilities who are 17 years of age or younger, provided the contact was committed with the intent to cause physical injury

Section 111.05 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, prohibits a general law whose purpose or effect would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds from becoming effective with regard to a local governmental entity without enactment by a 2/3 vote unless: it comes within one of a number of specified exceptions; it is approved by the affected entity; or the Legislature appropriates funds, or provides a local source of revenue, to the entity for the purpose

The purpose or effect of this bill would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of the amendment. However, the bill does not require approval of a local governmental entity or enactment by a 2/3 vote to become effective SB83 INTRODUCED because it comes within one of the specified exceptions contained in the amendment

Relating to child abuse; to amend Section 26-15-3, Code of Alabama 1975; to further provide for the crime of child abuse; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Section 111.05 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022.