SB31 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Matt WoodsSenator

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Crimes and offenses, penalty increased for crimes of making a terrorist threat in the first or second degree, principal to immediately contact law enforcement of terrorist threat, suspension of student, readmittance, and restitution provided

Summary

SB31 would raise penalties for first- and second-degree terrorist threats, strengthen school reporting and discipline for those threats, and require restitution and a statewide safe-school policy.

What This Bill Does

The bill redefines credible threats and threats and updates the elements of first- and second-degree terrorist threats while increasing penalties. It requires public school principals to notify law enforcement immediately when a student's conduct could lead to charges of 1st or 2nd-degree threats, and it imposes a minimum one-year suspension for students charged with either crime, with readmission only under defined conditions. It creates restitution requirements upon conviction and sets a cap of $10,000 for restitution costs, and it adds a statewide safe-school and drug-free policy with uniform district policies and added parental involvement. It also establishes readmission conditions, possible court-ordered evaluations, and the potential expulsion for those convicted, along with costs recovered from the offender and parent or guardian.

Who It Affects

• Public K-12 students in Alabama who are charged with or found guilty of making a terrorist threat in the first or second degree, facing immediate suspension, readmission conditions, and restitution.
• Public schools, school districts, principals, boards of education, law enforcement, parents/guardians, and property owners or government entities affected by a threat, who would implement, enforce, and fund the policy changes (discipline plans, reporting requirements, and cost recovery).

Key Provisions

• Defines credible threat and threat with criteria for when a threat is considered credible and imminent, and updates the elements of 13A-10-241 (first degree) and 13A-10-242 (second degree).
• Penalties: first-degree threat is increased to a higher felony level (text indicates Class C B felony); second-degree threat defaults to Class A misdemeanor, with a Class D felony if the person has a prior adjudication/conviction or commits a second/subsequent offense within one year.
• School reporting and discipline: principals must notify law enforcement immediately for charges of first or second degree; a student charged with either crime faces a minimum one-year suspension and readmission under defined conditions; may require psychiatric or psychological evaluation and counseling.
• Restitution: convicted individuals must pay restitution to property owners, the primary investigative law enforcement and prosecutorial entities, and to cover costs of emergency services; total restitution capped at $10,000; the student and the parent/guardian may be ordered to pay costs.
• Safe-school policy: State Board of Education must adopt a statewide safe-school and drug-free policy; local districts must enforce uniform discipline policies, distribute and obtain acknowledgment of the discipline plan from students and parents; includes parental involvement and potential damages recovery by the school system.
• Additional consequences and protections: potential readmission restrictions and expulsion for those convicted of first/second-degree threats; civil liability protections for school employees acting within state law; and effective date set for July 1, 2025.

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