House Bill 188 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Alan BakerRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Crimes and offenses; making a terrorist threat in the second degree, elements revised, criminal penalties further provided for

Summary

HB188 would broaden when a threat can be charged as a second-degree terrorist threat and raise penalties for repeat offenses, with an effective date of October 1, 2026.

What This Bill Does

The bill changes the standards for what counts as a second-degree terrorist threat by removing the requirement that a threat must be credible and imminent. It maintains first-degree offenses as a separate category and makes second-degree offenses harsher for repeat violations. It also updates definitions to include schools and religious properties as protected targets.

Who It Affects

• Individuals who make threats of violence or property damage (charges for second-degree threats could apply under broader circumstances).
• Schools, churches, and other protected properties and their communities, which may be affected by how threats are defined and charged.

Key Provisions

• Broadens when a second-degree threat can be charged by removing the credibility and imminence requirement.
• Penalties: first offense of second-degree threat is Class A misdemeanor; second or subsequent offenses are Class D felonies.
• Definitions updated to include schools and religious properties as protected targets and to clarify what constitutes a threat and its communication.
• Effective date: October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 11, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crimes & Offenses