HB210 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Merika ColemanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

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

Summary

This bill would pause Alabama's death penalty for three years and require new fairness procedures to guide 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 specific procedures to ensure fair and impartial administration, including adopting ABA defense guidelines, strengthening post-conviction due process, tackling racial disparities in sentencing, and protecting people with intellectual disabilities or those who were under 18 at the time of the offense. The act takes effect on the first day of the third month after it is passed and approved by the Governor.

Who It Affects

• Defendants facing the death penalty: the moratorium delays imposition or execution for three years and triggers new protections.
• Defense attorneys in capital cases: must follow ABA guidelines and other due-process procedures during the moratorium.
• People with intellectual disabilities or who were under 18 at the time of their offense: provided with protections against execution under the new procedures.
• State and local prosecutors, judges, and the broader criminal-justice system: required to implement the specified fairness and due-process procedures.

Key Provisions

• A three-year moratorium on the imposition or execution of the death penalty under Alabama law (Code 13A-5-2).
• During the moratorium, implement the following procedures: (1) ABA Guidelines for Defense Counsel in Death Penalty Cases; (2) due process procedures to preserve and enhance state post-conviction relief; (3) procedures to eliminate discrimination in capital sentencing based on race of the victim or defendant; (4) due process procedures to prevent execution of individuals with intellectual disabilities and those who were under 18 at the time of the offense.
• Effective date: the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

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