SB30 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Hank Sanders

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Death penalty repealed, Secs. 13A-5-39, 13A-5-43, 13A-5-44, 15-18-100 am'd; Secs. 13A-5-45 to 13A-5-53, inclusive, 13A-5-55, 13A-5-59, 15-18-80 to 15-18-86, inclusive, repealed

Summary

SB30 would repeal the death penalty in Alabama and replace it with life imprisonment without parole for capital offenses, with existing death sentences commuted to life without parole.

What This Bill Does

The bill removes death as a punishment for capital offenses and would apply life imprisonment without parole to new capital offenses. It repeals and amends statutes that cover death-penalty trials, sentencing, and related procedures. Any death sentences already in effect would be commuted to life without parole, with the change applying to sentences both before and after the act’s effective date.

Who It Affects

• People convicted of capital offenses would face life imprisonment without parole instead of the death penalty.
• Individuals with existing death sentences (and their families) would have their sentences commuted to life without parole, affecting their confinement, parole prospects, and related rights.

Key Provisions

• Repeals the death penalty as a punishment for capital offenses and replaces it with life imprisonment without parole.
• Amends Sections 13A-5-39, 13A-5-43, 13A-5-44, and 15-18-100 to reflect removal of the death penalty and adjust related definitions.
• Repeals Sections 13A-5-45 to 13A-5-53, 13A-5-55, 13A-5-59, and 15-18-80 to 15-18-86 (death-penalty sentencing and related provisions).
• Section 2 requires that existing death sentences be commuted to life imprisonment without parole; Section 4 states the act takes effect immediately after approval.
• Retains existing mechanisms for commutation and pardons related to death sentences (as part of the transition).

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Death Penalty