HB 14 - Aggravating Factors at Sentencing

• Amends AS 12.55.155(c) to specify 37 aggravating factors that courts may consider when imposing sentences above the presumptive range.

• Adds new aggravating factors including: directing conduct at victims 65 years or older, committing offenses at health care facilities against medical professionals, and knowingly causing a victim to become unconscious using a dangerous instrument.

• Expands existing aggravating factor (22) to include sexual orientation, gender identity, and citizenship as protected characteristics, and clarifies factor (8) to reference specific animal cruelty statutes.

• Applies the amended law only to offenses committed on or after the effective date of the Act.