HB261 Alabama 2011 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Steve HurstRepresentative
Republican
Co-Sponsor: Ron Johnson
Session: Regular Session 2011
Title: Capital offenses, sex crimes, certain against children included, sentencing to life imprisonment without parole, Sec. 13A-5-6 am'd. (2011-20458)
Summary: HB261 changes Alabama's felony sentencing rules to impose life imprisonment without parole for certain sex offenses and adds at least 10 years of post-release supervision for some offenders.
What This Bill Does
It amends Section 13A-5-6 to set higher minimums for certain offenses, including not less than 20 years for Class A felonies with a firearm or involving a child and not less than 10 years for Class B/C felonies with a firearm or child sex offense. It also creates a new life-without-parole punishment for specific sex offenses when the offender is 21 or older and the victim is 6 or younger. Additionally, it requires at least 10 years of post-release supervision for offenders designated as sexually violent predators or convicted of a Class A felony criminal sex offense involving a child. The bill also notes when release timing is determined by other law and specifies an effective date after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects
Defendants convicted of certain sex offenses (including Class A felonies involving a child or offenses listed under 13A-6-61, 13A-6-63, or 13A-6-65.1) who could face life imprisonment without parole and may have higher minimum sentences.
Offenders designated as sexually violent predators or those convicted of Class A felony child sex offenses, who would face at least 10 years of post-release supervision after their release.

Key Provisions
Life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for offenders age 21 or older convicted of certain sex offenses against a child (covering sections 13A-6-61, 13A-6-63, and 13A-6-65.1).
In addition to existing penalties, not less than 10 years of post-release supervision after release for offenders designated as sexually violent predators or convicted of a Class A felony criminal sex offense involving a child (15-20-21(5)).
Minimum imprisonment terms: Class A felonies with firearm or deadly weapon or a Class A child sex offense not less than 20 years; Class B or C felonies with firearm or deadly weapon or a Class B child sex offense not less than 10 years.
Other timing and administrative provisions: actual release timing is determined by other law; the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval; the act states it is exempt from local-fund expenditure requirements because it defines or amends a crime.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Crimes and Offenses