HB484 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jeff McLaughlin

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Mac McCutcheonHoward SanderfordFrank McDaniel

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Criminal homicide, common law doctrine requiring death to occur within one year and a day abolished, Sec. 13A-3-4 added

Summary

HB484 would abolish the common-law rule requiring homicide prosecutions to occur within a year and a day of the victim's death.

What This Bill Does

The bill adds a new section to Alabama law stating that it is not a defense or bar to prosecuting criminal homicide if the act or acts occurred more than one year and one day before the death. It applies to acts occurring after July 1, 2010, and the act becomes effective on that date. In short, prosecutors could pursue homicide charges even if death happens long after the initial act.

Who It Affects

• Defendants charged with criminal homicide would be subject to prosecution regardless of a long gap between the act and death.
• Prosecutors and law enforcement would have a broader opportunity to file and pursue homicide charges, removing the year-and-a-day time limit for prosecutions.

Key Provisions

• Adds Section 13A-3-4 to the Code of Alabama 1975 stating it shall not be a defense or a bar to prosecution for criminal homicide if the act or acts occurred more than one year and one day before the victim's death.
• Applies to any act or acts occurring after July 1, 2010.
• The act is named 'The Officer Tommy Bishop Act.'
• Effective date of the act: July 1, 2010.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses