HB39 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Juandalynn GivanRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Crimes & Offenses, creates the crime of virtual kidnapping & establishes penalties for violations

Summary

HB39 would create a new crime called virtual kidnapping, set it as a Class C felony, and establish where and how it can be charged, with an effective date of October 1, 2024.

What This Bill Does

HB39 creates the crime of virtual kidnapping and defines it as threatening to confine, restrain, or cause physical injury to someone, or falsely claiming that such actions occurred, to gain control of that person's property. Jurisdiction is broad: the offense is considered committed in any county where related communications originated or were received, regardless of the defendant's location. It is classified as a Class C felony and the bill is exempt from certain local-funding rules because it creates a new crime. The act would take effect on October 1, 2024.

Who It Affects

• Potential offenders: individuals who threaten to confine, restrain, or injure someone or falsely claim such actions to gain control of property would face a new Class C felony.
• Victims and the general public in Alabama: people whose property could be involved and the broader community, along with law enforcement and prosecutors who would handle investigations and prosecutions under this new crime.

Key Provisions

• Creates the crime of virtual kidnapping and sets penalties for violations (Class C felony).
• Defines virtual kidnapping as threatening to confine, restrain, or cause physical injury to another, or asserting that such actions occurred, with the intent to obtain control over the other's property.
• Jurisdiction rule: the offense is considered committed in any county where the related communication originated or was received, regardless of where the defendant is.
• Not a defense that the accused did not actually confine, restrain, or injure someone, or did not intend to do so.
• Exempts the bill from certain local expenditure requirements because it defines a new crime, and it would become effective October 1, 2024.

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

Subjects

Crimes & Offenses