HB8 Summary

• Amends Section 13A-5-13 of the Alabama Code to add sexual orientation and gender identity or expression as protected characteristics under hate crimes legislation.

• Establishes enhanced criminal penalties for offenses motivated by a victim's actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, matching existing penalties for crimes motivated by race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, or disability.

• Imposes mandatory minimum sentences for hate crimes: 15 years for Class A felonies, 10 years for Class B felonies, 2 years for Class C felonies, and 18 months for Class D felonies.

• Requires misdemeanor convictions motivated by sexual orientation or gender identity or expression to be sentenced as Class A misdemeanors with a minimum 3-month sentence.

• Defines sexual orientation as heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality for purposes of the statute, effective on the first day of the third month following passage and gubernatorial approval.