MONTGOMERY, AL — Kay Ivey has signed House Bill 7 into law, enacting stricter penalties for individuals who make terroristic threats against schools and other public spaces across Alabama.
The legislation, sponsored by James Lomax and carried in the Senate by Matt Woods, aims to address growing concerns over threats that disrupt educational environments and public safety.
“If Alabama is to remain the best place to live, work and raise a family, we must ensure all of our classrooms are the safest environments for learning,” Ivey said. “Terroristic threats made against our schools are meant to create fear among students and their parents and undermine security. The wellbeing of Alabama’s children must come first. Those who make such threats will be subject to the toughest penalties under the law.”
Under HB7, a person commits the crime of making a terrorist threat in the first degree when issuing a credible threat against an individual or property. The law also expands protections beyond schools to include hospitals, nursing homes, and facilities that house disabled or immobile individuals.
“With school threats becoming a far too regular occurrence, protecting our children has never been more urgent,” Lomax said. “HB7 ensures that our laws keep pace with these challenges by strengthening penalties and removing disruptive threats from the classrooms.”
Woods emphasized the broader impact of the legislation, stating, “HB7 sends a clear message: Threats against our communities will not be tolerated. This legislation strengthens accountability and ensures every threat against our schools, churches, hospitals and government buildings is taken seriously. Our schools should be focused on learning – not lockdowns.”
The law also outlines specific consequences for students charged with making terroristic threats. Students will be suspended from the classroom pending a due process hearing and may not return to school until all charges are resolved and a mental health evaluation is completed. If found guilty, the student will be expelled.
House Bill 7 is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026.
