AL HB228

Amends Section 13A-5-13 of the Alabama Code to expand hate crime penalties to include offenses motivated by the victim's actual or perceived employment as a law enforcement officer, joining existing protected categories of race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, and physical or mental disability.

Imposes mandatory minimum sentences for felony convictions with law enforcement officer motivation: Class A felonies minimum 15 years, Class B minimum 10 years, Class C minimum 2 years, and Class D minimum 18 months.

Requires conviction of misdemeanors motivated by law enforcement officer status to result in at least a Class A misdemeanor sentence with a minimum of three months imprisonment.

Defines "law enforcement officer" as an officer with arrest power employed by any state agency, department, board, commission, institution, municipality, or county within Alabama.

Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and gubernatorial approval.