SB60 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Hank Sanders

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2015

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Death penalty repealed, Secs. 13A-5-39, 13A-5-43, 13A-5-44, 15-18-100 am'd; Secs. 13A-5-45 to 13A-5-53, inclusive, 13A-5-55, 13A-5-59, 15-18-80 to 15-18-86, inclusive, repealed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

SB60 would repeal the death penalty in Alabama and replace it with life imprisonment without parole, commuting existing death sentences to life without parole.

What This Bill Does

It removes death as a possible punishment for capital offenses and eliminates related sentencing procedures and hearings. It repeals numerous statutes that govern the death penalty. It commutes all existing death sentences to life imprisonment without parole, and the act applies to death sentences imposed both before and after the effective date, with the act becoming law immediately after approval.

Who It Affects

• Individuals convicted of capital offenses in Alabama (no longer eligible for the death penalty; most would face life imprisonment without parole; existing death sentences are commuted).
• The Alabama judiciary, prosecutors, and state agencies responsible for sentencing and parole (they must implement the repeal, adjust procedures, and process sentence commutations).

Key Provisions

• Amends Sections 13A-5-39, 13A-5-43, 13A-5-44, and 15-18-100 to remove death as a punishment and to modify related sentencing definitions and procedures.
• Repeals Sections 13A-5-45 through 13A-5-53, 13A-5-55, 13A-5-59, and Sections 15-18-80 to 15-18-86 (the statutes governing the death penalty).
• Declares that all existing death sentences imposed prior to the effective date shall be commuted to life imprisonment without parole; the act applies to death sentences imposed before and after the effective date.
• Effective immediately upon passage (and approval by the Governor), with conflicting laws repealed.

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