SB142 • 2026

Crimes and offenses; crime of reckless endangerment expanded, criminal penalties provided

Crime Firearms

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Barfoot
Last action: 2026-04-07
Official status: Indefinitely Postponed in House of Origin
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official status indicates the bill was indefinitely postponed, which typically prevents it from becoming law despite having an effective date written in the text.

SB142: Changes to Reckless Endangerment Laws

This bill expands the crime of reckless endangerment by adding higher penalties for putting multiple people at risk or using a deadly weapon.

What This Bill Does

Makes it a Class A misdemeanor to recklessly create a substantial risk of serious physical injury to one person.
Makes it a Class C felony to recklessly create a substantial risk of serious physical injury to multiple individuals.
Increases the penalty to a Class B felony if someone uses a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument while endangering multiple people.

Who It Names or Affects

People who engage in reckless conduct that creates a substantial risk of serious physical injury to others

Terms To Know

Reckless endangerment: Acting recklessly in a way that creates a substantial risk of causing serious physical injury.
Class A misdemeanor: A type of crime with penalties defined by state law, less severe than a felony.
Class C and Class B felonies: Types of serious crimes that carry heavier punishments than misdemeanors, with Class B being more severe than Class C in this context.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill states it would become effective on October 1, 2026.
The official status shows the bill was indefinitely postponed on April 7, 2026, meaning it may not take effect.

Bill History

2026-04-07 Senate
Currently Indefinitely Postponed
2026-01-21 Senate
Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
2026-01-21 Senate
Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
2026-01-14 Senate
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
2026-01-14 Senate
Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary

Official Summary Text

Crimes and offenses; crime of reckless endangerment expanded, criminal penalties provided

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

SB142 INTRODUCED
Page 0
SB142
SLZ4257-1
By Senator Barfoot
RFD: Judiciary
First Read: 14-Jan-26
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SLZ4257-1 01/13/2026 THR (L)ma 2026-192
Page 1
First Read: 14-Jan-26
SYNOPSIS:
Under existing law, a person commits the crime
of reckless endangerment if he or she recklessly
engages in conduct that creates a substantial risk of
serious physical injury to another individual.
This bill would further provide for the offense
of reckless endangerment by providing heightened
criminal penalties for recklessly engaging in conduct
that creates a substantial risk of serious physical
injury to multiple individuals, and additional
heightened penalties for the use of a firearm during
the commission of the offense.
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to crimes and offenses; to amend Section
13A-6-24, Code of Alabama 1975; to further provide for the
crime of reckless endangerment; and to provide conditions for
increased criminal penalties for a violation.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. Section 13A-6-24, Code of Alabama 1975, is
amended to read as follows:
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SB142 INTRODUCED
Page 2
amended to read as follows:
"§13A-6-24
(a) A person commits the crime of reckless endangerment
if he or she does either of the following:
(1) recklessly Recklessly engages in conduct which that
creates a substantial risk of serious physical injury to
another person individual .
(2) Recklessly engages in conduct that creates a
substantial risk of serious physical injury to multiple
individuals.
(b)(1) Reckless endangerment A violation of subdivision
(a)(1) is a Class A misdemeanor.
(2)a. Except as provided in paragraph b., a violation
of subdivision (a)(2) is a Class C felony.
b. A violation of subdivision (a)(2) is a Class B
felony if the person uses a deadly weapon or dangerous
instrument in the commission of the offense. "
Section 2. This act shall become effective on October
1, 2026.
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