SB2 Alabama 2014 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Clay Scofield
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2014
Title: Capital offenses, murder of a person with a protection order issued against the defendant, included, Kelley's Law, Sec. 13A-5-40 am'd.
Summary: SB2, known as Kelley's Law, adds murder of a person protected by a protective order against the defendant as a new capital offense in Alabama.
What This Bill Does
It amends Section 13A-5-40 to create a new capital offense (a)(19) for murder by a defendant when the victim is protected by a protective order against the defendant (issued under 30-5-1 et seq. or as a condition of pretrial release). The new offense uses the existing definition of murder and related rules for complicity and lesser included offenses. The bill also states it is exempt from Amendment 621 local-funds requirements because it defines a new crime or amends an existing crime, and it becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and the governor signs it.

Who It Affects
Defendants who have a protective order issued against them; if they murder the protected person, the crime could be charged as a capital offense.
Protected persons (victims) and the broader public; protection orders against defendants are strengthened by the possibility of capital punishment for such murders, affecting law enforcement, prosecutors, and victim safety.

Key Provisions
Adds new capital offense (a)(19) to 13A-5-40: murder by the defendant when the victim is protected by a protective order against the defendant (issued under 30-5-1 et seq. or as a condition of pretrial release).
Uses existing definitions of 'murder' and allows for possible lesser included offenses under current statutes, with complicity rules applying if the defendant did not personally kill but is accountable.
Specifies that the protective order must exist for the victim against the defendant for the new capital offense to apply.
States the bill is exempt from Amendment 621 local-funds requirements because it creates a new crime or amends an existing crime.
Establishes the effective date as the first day of the third month after the bill's passage and the Governor's 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: Crimes and Offenses