AL SB317

Creates new crimes under Article 4B of Chapter 6 of Title 13A for clergy members (ministers, priests, rabbis, bishops, or recognized clergy in positions of trust or authority) who commit sexual acts with children under 19 years of age or protected persons under 22 years of age.

Makes it a Class B felony for a clergy member to engage in sexual intercourse or sodomy with a child, with consent not a valid defense.

Makes it a Class C felony for a clergy member to engage in sexual contact with a child or to solicit, persuade, encourage, harass, or entice a child to engage in sex acts, with consent not a valid defense.

Makes it a Class C felony for a clergy member to distribute or transmit obscene matter depicting sexual conduct to a child or to solicit a child to transmit such obscene matter to any person.

Takes effect immediately and is excluded from constitutional requirements regarding local government expenditures because it defines a new crime.