SB248 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Hank Sanders

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2014

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Death penalty repealed, Secs. 13A-5-39, 13A-5-43, 13A-5-44, 15-18-100 am'd; Secs. 13A-5-45 to 13A-5-53, inclusive, 13A-5-55, 13A-5-59, 15-18-80 to 15-18-86, inclusive, repealed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

The bill repeals the death penalty in Alabama and converts all existing death sentences to life imprisonment without parole.

What This Bill Does

It removes death as a possible punishment for capital offenses and replaces it with life without parole. It repeals the sentencing provisions and related hearings for capital cases, and it repeals sections governing the death penalty. All existing death sentences would be commuted to life imprisonment without parole. The act becomes law immediately after governor approval and applies to sentences issued before and after its effective date.

Who It Affects

• Defendants convicted of capital offenses would no longer face the death penalty and would instead receive life imprisonment without parole.
• The courts, prosecutors, and defense attorneys who handle capital cases would operate under a new framework that eliminates death-penalty sentencing and related procedures; existing death sentences would be commuted.

Key Provisions

• Repeals the death penalty and removes death as a punishment for capital offenses, along with related sentencing provisions.
• Amends several code sections (including 13A-5-39, 13A-5-43, 13A-5-44, 15-18-100) to remove death as a possible sentence and related rules.
• Repeals Sections 13A-5-45 through 13A-5-53 and 13A-5-55, 13A-5-59 and 15-18-80 to 15-18-86.
• Requires that all existing death sentences be commuted to life imprisonment without parole; applies to sentences both before and after the act's effective date.
• Becomes effective immediately upon governor's signature.

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