SB217 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Hank Sanders

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Death penalty, moratorium on imposition and execution not to exceed three years, procedure for administering

Summary

SB217 would pause all death-penalty impositions and executions in Alabama for three years and require new procedures to ensure fair, impartial handling of death penalty cases.

What This Bill Does

It imposes a three-year moratorium on the imposition or execution of the death penalty. During the moratorium, it requires implementing procedures to ensure fair and due-processful administration of death penalty cases, including ABA guidelines for defense counsel, post-conviction relief procedures, anti-discrimination measures in capital sentencing, and safeguards to prevent the execution of mentally retarded individuals or those who were under 18 at the time of the offense.

Who It Affects

• Death penalty defendants and inmates, as the moratorium would stop new death sentences and executions for three years and affect ongoing and potential cases.
• Alabama’s legal system and professionals (defense attorneys, prosecutors, and courts), which would be required to adopt and apply the specified procedures to ensure fair treatment in death penalty cases.

Key Provisions

• Three-year moratorium on the imposition or execution of the death penalty under Alabama law.
• During the moratorium, implement procedures to ensure fairness and due process, including: (a) ABA Guidelines for the Appointment and Performance of Counsel in Death Penalty Cases; (b) due process procedures to preserve and enhance state post-conviction relief in death sentence cases; (c) procedures to eliminate discrimination in capital sentencing based on race of the victim or defendant; (d) due process procedures to prevent the execution of mentally retarded persons and of those under age 18 at the time of the offense.
• Effective date: became law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

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

Subjects

Death Penalty