HB 192 Alabama House · 2026 Regular Session

Criminal law; self-defense and defense of others; presumption of unlawful use of force under certain conditions

This bill creates a legal presumption that deadly force used in self-defense or defense of others is justified under specific circumstances, such as preventing burglary, kidnapping, or violent assaults like robbery or forcible rape. It establishes exceptions where this presumption does not apply, including when the defender is engaged in unlawful activity, the victim is a law enforcement officer acting in duty, or the defender is removing a child under lawful custody. The bill also requires pretrial hearings to determine if self-defense immunity applies before trial, with the defendant needing to prove justification by a preponderance of evidence. It directly affects individuals in Alabama facing criminal charges for using force in self-defense or defense of others.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Signed Apr 15, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed → Enrolled · 4 edits · Apr 15, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was finalized as an enrolled version with minor formatting updates and a critical addition of a legal presumption that justifies the use of deadly force in specific scenarios, such as when someone is unlawfully entering a home or vehicle. This change shifts the burden of proof, making it easier for individuals to claim self-defense in these situations unless specific exceptions apply.

Scope change

The scope of self-defense justification was expanded to include a legal presumption for deadly force when facing unlawful entry or removal from a dwelling, residence, business, or vehicle.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a legal presumption that a person is justified in using deadly physical force if they reasonably believe another person is unlawfully and forcefully entering or has entered a dwelling, residence, business property, occupied vehicle, or nuclear facility, or is attempting to remove a person against their will.

REQUIREMENT

Added conditions requiring the person using force to know or have reason to believe an unlawful entry or act is occurring, and that the person being removed has a legal right to be in the location.

Added exceptions where the legal presumption does not apply, including if the person against whom force is used is a lawful resident without a protective order, if the person being removed is a child or grandchild of the aggressor, if the user is engaged in unlawful activity, or if the target is a law enforcement officer.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill title page from 'Engrossed' to 'Enrolled' and corrected line numbers and document identifiers.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Faulkner motion to Concur In and Adopt Senate Amendment - Adopted Roll Call 1345

lower

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1281

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Albritton motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1280

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Introduced

Albritton 1st Amendment Offered

upper

Feb 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee Second House

upper

Feb 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (Judiciary)

upper

Feb 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 241

lower

Feb 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 240

lower

Feb 3, 2026

Introduced

Judiciary Engrossed Substitute Offered (Judiciary)

lower

Jan 21, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin (Judiciary)

lower

Jan 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Judiciary)

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors