Alabama Senate Passes Tougher Terroristic Threats Bill

0:00Birmingham stories, making news on March 20th. The Alabama Senate just passed a bill to ramp up penalties for terroristic threats in schools and other public spots like churches and hospitals. House Bill 7, sponsored by Representative James Lomax from Huntsville, cleared the chamber on a 29-3 vote. Senator Matthew Woods from Jasper carried it in the Senate. The measure upgrades first-degree terroristic threats from a Class C felony, which means one to ten years in prison, to a Class B felony with 2-2. 20 years behind bars. It also bumps second-degree threats to a Class D felony for repeat offenders or those making multiple threats in a year. These threats involve credible plans to use deadly weapons to harm people or property and disrupt public functions. Lawmakers heard from teachers, school administrators, parents, and even young students shaken by lockdowns from these scares. What really hit home for Senator Woods were stories from pediatric offices where elementary kids showed up terrified and too afraid to return to. Class, students caught

1:05making these threats face immediate suspension from public K through 12 or charter schools. They stay out until charges are resolved. They complete court-ordered mental health evaluations and counseling paid by their parents and they meet any local school board rules for coming back. This tougher approach aims to deter these dangerous calls without stopping them entirely. The bill now heads to