AlabamaAlabama law treats recklessly endangering multiple people as a felony
People who recklessly put multiple people at substantial risk of serious injury face felony penalties under Alabama law, even if no one is hurt.
What it does
Recklessly putting multiple people at substantial risk of serious injury is a Class C felony, a serious crime. Using a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument makes it a more serious Class B felony.
Argument forFelony penalties could discourage reckless acts that threaten several people with serious injury, allowing accountability before anyone is hurt.
Argument againstPeople could face felony penalties even when no one is hurt, because the offense requires a substantial risk of serious injury.
More detail
People who recklessly create a substantial risk of serious injury to multiple people commit a Class C felony. The felony rule covers conduct that endangers multiple people. Recklessly endangering one person is a Class A misdemeanor, a less serious crime. The offense is a more serious Class B felony if the person uses a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument while committing it. The offense requires a substantial risk of serious injury; an actual injury is not required. The law took effect on October 1, 2026.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 9EnactedBecame Law
- Apr 2Signature Requested
- Apr 2Delivered to GovernorTo Governor
- Apr 1Third Reading in Second House
- Vote recorded Sells Motion to Concur in and Adopt Senate Amendmet to HB266. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Third Reading in Second House. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Barfoot motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1035. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1036. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 1Barfoot 1st Amendment OfferedMinor
- Apr 1Barfoot motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1035Major
- Apr 1Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1036Passed Senate
- Apr 1Sells Motion to Concur in and Adopt Senate Amendmet to HB266
- Apr 1Ready to Enroll
- Apr 1Enrolled
- Mar 3Reported Out of Committee Second House
- Mar 3Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Judiciary)Minor
- Feb 26Third Reading in House of Origin
- Vote recorded Third Reading in House of Origin. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 620. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 26Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 620Passed House
- Feb 26Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on JudiciaryMinor
- Feb 26Pending Committee Action in Second House (Judiciary)
- Feb 5Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Judiciary)Minor
- Feb 4Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
- Jan 15Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on JudiciaryMinor
- Jan 15Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Judiciary)Introduced
Criminal JusticePublic Safety