A new Alabama law is changing what happens when a student is charged with making a terroristic threat, and it could affect how schools, parents and law enforcement respond long before a student ever returns to the classroom.

House Bill 7 took effect July 1 after lawmakers said school threats had become too common across the state. Supporters say the law is meant to make schools safer by creating one consistent process for every public school district while increasing the consequences for students who make threats.

For families, the biggest change comes after a student is charged.

Under the new law, a student charged with making a terrorist threat in the first or second degree must be removed from regular classes. Before returning to school, the student’s criminal case must be resolved, the student must complete a court-ordered psychiatric or psychological evaluation and counseling, and the student must meet any additional requirements set by the local school board. The law also requires the student’s parent or guardian to pay for the evaluation.

Walker County Schools Superintendent Dennis Willingham said his district has taken school threats seriously for years, but the law gives schools across Alabama the same roadmap for handling them.

“The main difference with the new law that just took effect today is that in order for a student to re-enter our school system and our schools, they have to pass a mental evaluation,” Willingham said. “I think that’s very important. That’s a step that’s been added that we’ve not had before.”

Many school districts already worked closely with law enforcement when threats were reported. The new law creates statewide standards that every public school system must follow.

Principals are now required to immediately notify law enforcement if a student’s conduct could warrant a charge of making a terrorist threat. Students charged under the law must be suspended from regular classes while both the criminal case and the school disciplinary process move forward.

Willingham said having one statewide policy removes uncertainty for school leaders.

“It does help us out as we move forward in ensuring that our schools are as safe as they possibly can be,” he said.

The law does more than remove students from the classroom.

If a student is convicted or adjudicated delinquent, the student must be expelled. Courts can also require the student and the student’s parent or guardian to reimburse law enforcement agencies, emergency responders and school districts for costs associated with responding to the threat.

Lawmakers also increased the criminal penalty for making a terrorist threat in the first degree and strengthened penalties for repeat offenders.

Willingham hopes the new law also starts conversations around the dinner table.

He says students do not always understand that a social media post, text message or joke can quickly become a criminal matter.

“Things they feel may be a joke can go south in a hurry and have really strong consequences,” Willingham said. “Those consequences could be that they’re expelled from the school system. They could be that the student ends up in jail.”

He encourages parents to talk with their children about thinking before they post online or make comments that could be interpreted as threats.

While much of the attention has focused on classrooms, the law also expands protections to other public places.

The updated statute includes threats against hospitals, nursing homes and other facilities that house disabled or immobile people.

As districts prepare for another school year, leaders hope they never have to use the new law. But if they do, they say every school in Alabama now has the same set of rules to follow and a clearer process for keeping students and staff safe.