An Alabama legislator has pre-filed a bill that would increase the criminal penalty for an individual convicted of making a terrorist threat against schools.

Rep. Chip Woods, R-Jasper, is the sponsor of the bill which also includes a provision to ban students from all public school property for one year if they are charged with making a terrorist threat.

Under current Alabama law, making a terrorist threat in the first degree is a Class C felony while making a terrorist threat in the second degree is a Class A misdemeanor.

Under HB85, the crime of making a terrorist threat in the first degree would be elevated to a Class B felony. And the bill would make a terrorist threat in the second degree a Class D felony.

According to the bill, a terrorist threat is defined as threatening to commit a crime of violence against a person or to damage any property by use of multiple deadly weapons including firearms or bombs.

As it relates to public schools, the legislation would require principals to sign a complaint if a student’s actions justifies criminal charges.

A student charged with making a terrorist threat would then face the one year ban and suspension from regular school classes.

For a student to obtain readmission the bill outlines three options that could happen. The options include the following:

1. All criminal charges or offenses arising from the conduct have been disposed of by appropriate authorities.
2. The student has completed a psychiatric or psychological evaluation and counseling prescribed by the court, at the expense of the parent or guardian of the student
3. the student has satisfied all other requirements imposed by the local board of education as a condition for readmission.

If a student is convicted of making a terrorist threat they will be expelled and their parent or guardian will be required to pay recompense for any costs incurred by the student’s threat.

This restitution will have to be paid to the local board of education, law enforcement and emergency medical service providers.

The 2025 legislative session is set to convene on Feb. 4.