SB40 Summary

• Amends Alabama Code Section 13A-10-52 to apply a Class C felony penalty when fleeing or eluding a law enforcement officer causes death or serious physical injury to the pursuing officer, in addition to existing penalties for injury to innocent bystanders or third parties.

• Currently, attempting to elude a law enforcement officer is a Class A misdemeanor, elevated to a Class C felony only if physical injury results to an innocent bystander or third party; this bill extends the felony penalty to injuries or death of the law enforcement officer.

• Mandates court-ordered suspension of the defendant's driver's license for not less than six months nor more than two years upon conviction.

• Bill is exempt from Amendment 621 constitutional requirements regarding local government expenditures because it defines or amends the definition of a crime.

• Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and gubernatorial approval, or upon otherwise becoming law.