SB20 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris ElliottSenator

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Crimes and offenses; assault of public officials established

Summary

SB20 would create a new assault in the second degree for intentionally injuring a current or former public official or certain workers, with a Class C felony penalty and updates to the code.

What This Bill Does

SB20 adds assault in the second degree as a crime when someone intentionally injures a current or former public official or other specified workers (such as teachers, health care workers, utility workers, emergency responders, letter carriers, and related professionals). It sets the offense as a Class C felony and lists multiple ways this can occur, including serious injury, use of a deadly weapon, or interfering with a worker performing duties. It also includes home health care workers in private residences and clarifies off-duty peace officers acting in lawful duties, while preserving workers' compensation and tort liability rules. The bill also updates code language to current style and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Public officials (current or former) and their colleagues/communities, as potential victims under expanded protections.
• Employees in specified roles (teachers, health care workers, utility workers, EMS personnel, detention/corrections officers, firefighters, letter carriers, etc.) and their workplaces, who gain enhanced protections and possible felony charges for assaults against them.

Key Provisions

• Creates assault in the second degree as a Class C felony when the offender intentionally injures a current or former public official or other protected workers under enumerated circumstances.
• Enumerates multiple ways to commit second-degree assault: serious physical injury with intent; physical injury with a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument; reckless creation of serious injury with a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument; intent to prevent a public official or other listed worker from performing lawful duties.
• Protects a broad range of workers (teachers, health care workers, utility workers, EMS, police/detention officers, firefighters, letter carriers, home health care workers, and health/public officials) through specific subcategories and definitions.
• Special rule for off-duty peace officers: off-duty officers may be considered as performing lawful duties when in approved uniform, for purposes of this offense.
• Definitions added for 'utility worker' and 'health care worker' and extend health care worker protections to home health care workers in private residences.
• Not intended to change workers' compensation status or a municipality's tort liability.
• Effective date set: October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crimes & Offenses