HB319 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Merika ColemanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

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

Summary

HB319 would pause the death penalty in Alabama for three years and require new procedures to ensure death penalty cases are handled fairly and impartially.

What This Bill Does

It would impose a three-year moratorium on the imposition or execution of the death penalty. During that time, the bill requires new procedures to make death penalty cases fair, including following the American Bar Association Guidelines for counsel in death penalty cases, strengthening state post-conviction relief processes, and taking steps to prevent racial discrimination in sentencing. It also creates protections to prevent the execution of people with intellectual disabilities and of those who were under 18 when the offense occurred.

Who It Affects

• Defendants facing a death sentence or on death row would experience a pause in death penalty imposition or execution.
• Criminal defense lawyers and the state would follow new procedures, including American Bar Association guidelines for counsel in death penalty cases.
• The state's post-conviction relief system would be subject to enhanced due process procedures to preserve and improve relief options.
• People with intellectual disabilities or who were under 18 at the time of the offense would be protected from execution, and race-based discrimination in sentencing would be addressed.

Key Provisions

• Three-year moratorium on imposition or execution of the death penalty.
• During the moratorium, implement the American Bar Association Guidelines for the Appointment and Performance of Counsel in Death Penalty Cases.
• Establish due process procedures to preserve and enhance state post-conviction relief in death sentence cases.
• Establish procedures to eliminate discrimination in capital sentencing based on race of the victim or defendant, and provide due process protections to prevent execution of individuals with intellectual disabilities or who were under 18 at the time of the offense.

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

Subjects

Death Penalty