HB275 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Merika ColemanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

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

Summary

This bill would pause the death penalty in Alabama for three years and require steps to ensure death penalty cases are fair and impartial.

What This Bill Does

It imposes a three-year moratorium on imposing or executing the death penalty. During the moratorium, it requires specific procedures to be put in place to ensure fair and impartial administration of death penalty cases, including defense counsel guidelines, post-conviction relief processes, anti-discrimination measures in sentencing, and protections for individuals with intellectual disabilities or those who were under 18 at the time of the offense.

Who It Affects

• Individuals facing the death penalty or currently sentenced to death in Alabama: their death sentences would be paused for three years and subject to new fairness procedures.
• Defense attorneys, judges, and the Alabama criminal justice system: they would implement and follow the new procedures during the moratorium (ABA guidelines, post-conviction relief procedures, anti-discrimination safeguards, and protections for intellectually disabled and juvenile offenders).

Key Provisions

• Three-year moratorium on the imposition or execution of the death penalty.
• During the moratorium, implement procedures to ensure fair and impartial death penalty cases: (1) ABA Guidelines for the Appointment and Performance of Defense Counsel in Death Penalty Cases; (2) due process procedures to preserve and enhance post-conviction relief; (3) procedures to eliminate race-based discrimination in capital sentencing; (4) due process procedures to prevent execution of persons with intellectual disabilities and those under 18 at the time of the offense.
• Effective date: the act takes effect on the first day of the third month after it is passed and approved.

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