SB446 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

William “Bill” M. BeasleySenator

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Cam WardGerald H. AllenBen H. BrooksPaul SanfordShadrack McGillPaul BussmanClay ScofieldBryan Taylor

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Capital offenses, murder of a person with a protection order issued against the defendant, included, Sec. 13A-5-40 am'd.

Summary

SB446 would make murder of a person who had a protection order against the defendant a capital offense in Alabama.

What This Bill Does

Under current law, killing someone who has a protection order against the defendant is not a capital offense. The bill would add this scenario to the list of capital offenses under Section 13A-5-40. It also notes that, although the bill could require local funding, it is exempt from local-funding approval rules because it creates or changes a crime.

Who It Affects

• Defendants who have or had a protection order issued against them, who would face capital-punishment potential if they kill the protected person.
• Individuals who have protection orders against a defendant (the protected persons), as their murder could be charged as a capital offense.

Key Provisions

• Adds a new capital-offense provision: murder by the defendant when the victim had a protection order issued against the defendant (amending §13A-5-40 to include this scenario).
• States that, although the bill could involve new local funding, it is exempt from Amendment 621 local-funds requirements because it defines or amends a crime.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after the governor signs it.

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