The bill amends Section 13A-10-52 of the Code of Alabama 1975, which addresses the crime of eluding or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer. Key changes include the introduction of heightened penalties for specific circumstances surrounding the offense. Notably, the bill reclassifies violations of subsection (a) as a Class A misdemeanor and violations of subsection (b) as a Class D felony. It also establishes that violations can escalate to a Class C felony if certain conditions are met, such as causing injury or having a child under 14 present in the vehicle during the offense. Additionally, the bill introduces a Class B felony classification for more severe instances, including causing serious injury or having multiple prior convictions.

Furthermore, the bill mandates minimum confinement periods for repeat offenders, stipulating 90 days for a second conviction within five years and 180 days for a third or subsequent conviction within seven years. The bill also clarifies that individuals are not in violation of the law if they continue to travel at or below the speed limit while intending to stop at a safe location. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 13A-10-52
Engrossed: 13A-10-52
Enrolled: 13A-10-52