HB 7

This act amends Sections 13A-10-240, 13A-10-241, 13A-10-242, and 16-1-24.1, Code of Alabama 1975, to: (1) define “credible threat” as a willful and knowing statement that would cause a reasonable person to fear for his or her safety or the safety of another; (2) revise the elements of the crime making a terrorist threat in the first and second degrees to include making a credible threat to commit a violent act; (3) increase the penalty for making a terrorist threat in the first degree from a Class C felony to a Class B felony; (4) provide the penalty for making a terrorist threat in the second degree is a Class D felony if the offender has been previously convicted of making a terrorist threat; (5) require public school principals to immediately notify law enforcement upon noticing an individual making a terrorist threat; (6) require school systems to immediately suspend a student charged with making a terrorist threat and require a hearing thereon not more than 30 days after the suspension; (7) authorize school readmittance only after all charges have been disposed of, completion of a psychological evaluation, beginning any prescribed counseling, and completing any other requirements of the local board of education. This act also adds Section 13A-10-243 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to require any person convicted of making a terrorist threat to be ordered to make restitution, not to exceed $10,000, to any affected property owners, the primary investigative law enforcement agency, and the prosecutorial authorities for legitimate costs incurred in relation to the threat.