Alabama Church Protection Act (HB 36)

HB 36 would provide that a person is not criminally liable for using physical force, including deadly force, in self-defense or in the defense of another person on the premises of a church under certain conditions.

Specifically, the bill would provide that a person is justified in using physical force upon another person if they reasonably believe that another person is:

Using or about to use physical force against an employee, volunteer, or member of a church or any other person authorized to be on the premises of the church when the church is open or closed to the public while committing or attempting to commit a crime involving death, serious physical injury, robbery, kidnapping, rape, sodomy, or a crime of a sexual nature involving a child under the age of 12.

Related Legislation

Similar to HB 180/SB 193, which would authorize the use of a police force at Briarwood Presbyterian Church.

STATUS

The bill was originally introduced with the intent to authorize the establishment of security programs for all churches or places of worship in the state. The first draft of the bill would have permitted church personnel to carry weapons and be trained by the Alabama Peace Officers’ Training Commission.

The bill was amended and passed the house on April 4, 2017, by a 63-33 vote.

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