Alabama Enacts Tougher Penalties for School Threats

Governor Ivey signs new law to address growing concerns over disruptions to educational environments

Apr. 13, 2026 at 11:37pm

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A cinematic painting of an empty Alabama state capitol building, with warm sunlight and deep shadows creating a sense of gravity and civic duty.The new Alabama law strengthening penalties for terroristic threats aims to protect schools and communities, casting a somber tone over the state's political landscape.Montgomery Today

Alabama Governor 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 the state. The legislation, sponsored by Representative James Lomax and carried in the Senate by Senator Matt Woods, aims to address growing concerns over threats that disrupt educational environments and public safety.

Why it matters

With school threats becoming a far too regular occurrence, protecting Alabama's children has never been more urgent. This new law sends a clear message that threats against schools, hospitals, and other community spaces will not be tolerated, and ensures every threat is taken seriously to maintain safe learning environments.

The details

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. Students charged with making terroristic threats 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.

  • HB7 is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.

The players

Kay Ivey

The Governor of Alabama who signed HB7 into law.

James Lomax

The Alabama state representative who sponsored HB7.

Matt Woods

The Alabama state senator who carried HB7 in the Senate.

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What they’re saying

“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. 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.”

— Kay Ivey, Governor of Alabama

“With school threats becoming a far too regular occurrence, protecting our children has never been more urgent. HB7 ensures that our laws keep pace with these challenges by strengthening penalties and removing disruptive threats from the classrooms.”

— James Lomax, Alabama State Representative

“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.”

— Matt Woods, Alabama State Senator

What’s next

The new law is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026, and will be closely watched to see if it effectively deters future threats and maintains safe learning environments across Alabama.

The takeaway

This new legislation in Alabama represents a proactive step to address the growing issue of terroristic threats against schools and other public spaces. By enacting stricter penalties and expanding protections, the state aims to create a safer climate for students, teachers, and the broader community, sending a clear message that such disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.