The Alabama House passed a bill on Thursday that increases penalties for making terrorist threats against schools and requires principals to immediately suspend students charged with such crimes for one year.
State Rep. James Lomax (R-Huntsville) carried the bill after former State Rep. Matt Woods (R-Jasper) was elected to the State Senate.
“Protecting our schools and giving students, educators, and administrators a safe environment to teach and learn ranks among our highest responsibilities as legislators,” Lomax said in a press release. “Parents, too, need to know that their children are shielded and safe from harm and threats while at school, and this legislation provides an added and necessary layer of security.”
Under current law, making a terrorist threat in the first degree is considered a Class C felony, and a Class A misdemeanor in the second degree.
“The provisions of HB7 increase the penalty for first-degree terrorist threats to a Class B felony, punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a $30,000 fine, and upcharges second-degree terrorist threats to a Class D felony if previous offenses have occurred,” the release stated.
The bill also defines “credible threat” as: “A knowing and willful statement or course of conduct, which, based on the totality of the circumstances, would cause a reasonable person to fear for his or her safety or the safety of another.”
“Incidents like the killing of Charlie Kirk, the attempt on President Trump, and other events are becoming increasingly common, and students are exposed to violent acts on a more frequent basis, so it is important that we discourage them from even threatening copycat actions,” Woods said. “The safety of our children, whether at school or elsewhere, is paramount, and if this legislation prevents or discourages even one violent act from taking place, it will have done its job.”
The bill passed 85-1, with some minor Democratic pushback. It now proceeds to the State Senate for consideration.
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