Alabama House passes bill to make it easier to prosecute persons for terroristic threats against schools

March 5, 2025 – The Alabama House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation that would make it easier for prosectors to punish persons who make terroristic threats against schools.

House Bill 233 (HB233) is sponsored by State Representative Alan Baker (R-Brewton).

Baker said that HB233 deals making it easier to prosecute persons who are making terrorist threats against schools.

"This would allow a district attorney to bring charges for making a terrorist threat against a school without proving that the threat was credible and imminent," said Baker. "Anytime someone calls in a bomb threat or makes a threat on social media school officials and law enforcement has to take that threat as credible. Early in the school year there were a number of threats called into schools nationwide including here in Alabama."

Baker said that when a threat happens, "The instructional day is compromised. Parents do not send their kids to school because they are panicked over that threat, law enforcement has to take it seriously as if it was a credible and imminent threat." "The resources that go into that, the panic that ensues, parents rushing to the school to try to remove their child from that environment, the resources that are used."

"A terror threat could be against an elected or a public official," clarified Rep. Baker.

Making a terrorist threat that is determined to be a credible and imminent threat could be prosecuted as a terrorist threat in the first degree; while making a threat as a prank or where authorities cannot prove that the threat was credible and eminent that person could still be charged with making a terrorist threat in the second degree.

Rep. Danny Garrett (R-Trussville) said, "Thank you for all your efforts that you have put into the public safety topic."

Rep. Thomas Jackson (D-Thomasville) said, "Being a retired educator myself we never had to address this sort of thing. Playing hookey was the biggest issue we faced. I think any and ever threat has to be treated as credible."

Baker explained, "If there is a second and subsequent event this elevates them to a class D felony."

Rep. Terri Collins (R-Decatur) said, "I want to thank you for bringing this. My favorite part is strengthening the penalties for repeat offenders."

Rep. Napoleon Bracy (D-Prichard) asked, "Do we have an age break?"

"There is nothing about age in the bill," said Baker. "This bill does not take away the discretion of the district attorneys."

HB233 passed the Alabama House of Representatives 90 to 0.

It now goes to the Alabama Senate for their consideration.

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