This amendment increases the penalty for shooting a gun into an occupied school bus or building from a Class B felony to a more serious Class A felony.
Alabama2026Enacted
HB420
HB420: Stricter Penalties for Shooting at School Buses and Buildings
Last scannedAug 24, 2026, 9:06 AM
In one sentence
This law increases the punishment for shooting a gun into an occupied school bus or building to a Class A felony and removes the rule that people under 19 cannot be charged with this crime.
What it does
- Changes the penalty for discharging a firearm into an occupied school bus or building from a Class B felony to a Class A felony.
- Removes the previous limit stating that individuals under 19 years of age could not violate this specific law.
Who it affects
- People who shoot firearms into occupied school buses or school buildings.
- Individuals under the age of 19 who commit this act.
Limits and unknowns
- The law does not change penalties for shooting at unoccupied school buses or buildings, which remain Class C felonies.
- People are still exempt from this law if they use justified force, participate in approved events, perform with certain groups, or are on land leased from a school system.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Class A felony
- A serious crime that carries a heavier punishment than lower-level felonies like Class B or C.
- Discharging a firearm
- Shooting or firing a gun.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
This act amends Section 13A-11-61.1, Code of Alabama 1975, to: (1) increase the penalty for discharging a firearm into an occupied school bus or school building from a Class B felony to a Class A felony; and (2) remove the limitation that an individual under 19 years of age may not be in violation of this crime.
Official activity
Bill history
- EnactedHouse
- Delivered to GovernorHouse
- Signature RequestedSenate
- EnrolledHouse
- Ready to EnrollHouse
- Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1274 (Yeas 30, Nays 0)Senate
- Read for the Second Time and placed on the CalendarSenate
- Reported Out of Committee Second HouseSenate
- Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 753 (Yeas 98, Nays 0)House
- Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 752 (Yeas 100, Nays 0)House
- Third Reading in House of Origin (Yeas 99, Nays 0)House
- Pending Committee Action in Second HouseSenate
- Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on JudiciarySenate
- EngrossedHouse
- Judiciary Engrossed Substitute OfferedHouse
- Read for the Second Time and placed on the CalendarHouse
- Reported Out of Committee House of OriginHouse
- Pending Committee Action in House of OriginHouse
- Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on JudiciaryHouse
Changes
Amendments
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