HB343 Summary

• Establishes a new crime of bestiality in Alabama law, which did not previously exist as a specific criminal offense.

• Defines sexual conduct as touching or fondling of an animal's sex organs or anus, or transfer of semen, for sexual gratification or arousal.

• Defines sexual contact as contact between a person's mouth, sex organs, or anus and an animal's sex organs or anus, including any penetration, for sexual gratification or arousal.

• Makes bestiality a Class A misdemeanor when a person knowingly engages in, causes, aids, abets, permits, or organizes any sexual conduct or contact with an animal for commercial or recreational purposes.

• Exempts accepted animal husbandry practices, conformation judging practices, and accepted veterinary medicine practices from the statute; effective the first day of the third month following passage and approval.