HB116 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Merika ColemanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

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

Summary

This bill would pause the death penalty for three years and require steps to ensure death-penalty cases are fair and carefully administered.

What This Bill Does

It imposes a three-year moratorium on imposing or carrying out the death penalty. During the moratorium, it requires implementing procedures to ensure fairness and due process, including adopting ABA defense guidelines, strengthening post-conviction relief processes, preventing racial discrimination in capital sentencing, and preventing the execution of people with intellectual disabilities or who were under 18 at the time of the offense.

Who It Affects

• Individuals facing or already sentenced under the death penalty in Alabama, who would experience a moratorium and new fairness procedures.
• Defense lawyers, prosecutors, judges, and state agencies involved in death penalty cases, who would implement the ABA guidelines, post-conviction procedures, anti-discrimination measures, and protections for intellectual disabilities and juveniles.

Key Provisions

• A moratorium of three years on the imposition or execution of the death penalty under Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 13A of the Alabama Code.
• During the moratorium, implementation of the following procedures: (1) ABA Guidelines for the Appointment and Performance of Defense Counsel in Death Penalty Cases; (2) due process procedures to preserve and enhance state post-conviction relief in death sentence cases; (3) procedures to eliminate discrimination in capital sentencing based on the race of the victim or defendant; (4) due process procedures to prevent the execution of persons with intellectual disabilities and those who were under 18 at the time of the offense.
• Effective date: the act takes effect on the first day of the third month after its passage and approval by the Governor, or otherwise becoming law.

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