AL HB7

Making a terrorist threat in the first degree is upgraded from a Class C felony to a Class B felony when the threat causes disruption of a school, church, hospital, nursing home, or facility housing disabled individuals, or influences a governmental function through intimidation.

Making a terrorist threat in the second degree becomes a Class D felony (instead of Class A misdemeanor) if the person has a prior terrorist threat conviction or commits a second offense within one year.

Public school principals must immediately notify law enforcement upon learning of any terrorist threat; students charged with first or second degree terrorist threats face mandatory suspension of at least one year and are banned from all public K-12 and charter school property statewide.

Students charged with terrorist threats cannot be readmitted until all criminal charges are resolved, court-ordered psychiatric/psychological evaluation and counseling is completed at parent/guardian expense, and all local board requirements are satisfied.

Convicted individuals must pay restitution (capped at $10,000) to affected property owners, schools, churches, governmental entities, and law enforcement/emergency responders for investigation, prosecution, and emergency response costs.