Elections; special primary election for redistricting certain State Senate districts authorized in certain circumstances

This act amends Sections 13A-10-240, 13A-10-241, 13A-10-242, and 16-1-24.1, Code of Alabama 1975, to: (1) define “credible threat” as a willful and knowing statement that would cause a reasonable person to fear for his or her safety or the safety of another; (2) revise the elements of the crime making a terrorist threat in the first and second degrees to include making a credible threat to commit a violent act; (3) increase the penalty for making a terrorist threat in the first degree from a Class C felony to a Class B felony; (4) provide the penalty for making a terrorist threat in the second degree is a Class D felony if the offender has been previously convicted of making a terrorist threat; (5) require public school principals to immediately notify law enforcement upon noticing an individual making a terrorist threat; (6) require school systems to immediately suspend a student charged with making a terrorist threat and require a hearing thereon not more than 30 days after the suspension; (7) authorize school readmittance only after all charges have been disposed of, completion of a psychological evaluation, beginning any prescribed counseling, and completing any other requirements of the local board of education. This act also adds Section 13A-10-243 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to require any person convicted of making a terrorist threat to be ordered to make restitution, not to exceed $10,000, to any affected property owners, the primary investigative law enforcement agency, and the prosecutorial authorities for legitimate costs incurred in relation to the threat.

This act is the Healthy Early Development and Screen Time Act. This act adds Article 4 to Chapter 24, Title 26, and Sections 16-40-15 and 38-7-7.1 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to: (1) require the Department of Early Childhood Education, State Department of Human Resources, and State Department of Education to collaboratively develop screen time guidelines for children under six years of age, screen time standards for early childhood education programs, and teacher and staff training on these standards; (2) provide requirements for using screen-based media in early childhood education programs; (3) require relevant state agencies to implement and monitor the guidelines and training for early childhood education programs under their jurisdiction; (4) require by the 2027-2028 school year that each local board of education adopt a kindergarten screen time policy; and (5) condition the licensure of certain child-care facilities upon adopting a compliant screen time policy.