SB49 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Hank Sanders

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Death penalty, persons under certain age exempt

Summary

SB49 would ban the death penalty for anyone who was under 18 when they committed a capital offense in Alabama.

What This Bill Does

The bill explicitly prohibits imposing the death penalty on defendants who were younger than 18 at the time of the capital offense, aligning Alabama law with the Supreme Court standard. It defines 'minor' as under 18 and includes a list of age-related restrictions to illustrate that group. The act is described as effective immediately upon passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Defendants who were under 18 at the time of committing a capital offense (they would not be eligible for the death penalty).
• Judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement in Alabama who handle capital cases (they must apply the new rule once the law is enacted).

Key Provisions

• Section 2: The death penalty shall not be imposed upon any person who was less than 18 years of age at the time of the commission of the capital offense.
• Section 3: The act becomes effective immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor, or otherwise becoming law.
• Section 1: The Legislature defines a 'minor' as a person under 18 and lists various activities that are prohibited for minors (e.g., weapon possession, certain work restrictions, and other age-related limitations).

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