SB50 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Hank Sanders

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

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

Summary

SB50 would pause death penalty impositions and executions in Alabama for three years and require new fairness procedures before any death sentence could be carried out.

What This Bill Does

It imposes a three-year moratorium on the imposition or execution of the death penalty. During this period, the state must implement several fairness procedures to reduce the risk of wrongful executions and ensure due process, including following ABA defense counsel guidelines, strengthening post-conviction relief procedures, eliminating race-based sentencing discrimination, and protecting mentally disabled individuals and those who were under 18 at the time of the offense.

Who It Affects

• Defendants who would be subject to the death penalty, as they face a three-year pause in imposition or execution and will be affected by the new fairness procedures.
• Defense attorneys handling death penalty cases, who would be governed by the ABA guidelines and the new due-process requirements.
• State courts and prosecutors involved in capital cases, who would implement enhanced post-conviction relief procedures and anti-discrimination safeguards.
• People involved in capital cases where race could influence sentencing (victims or defendants), who would be protected by anti-discrimination measures.
• Individuals who are mentally retarded or under 18 at the time of their offense, who would be protected from execution by the new due-process protections.

Key Provisions

• Three-year moratorium on the imposition or execution of the death penalty.
• During the moratorium, implement the ABA Guidelines for the Appointment and Performance of Defense Counsel in Death Penalty Cases.
• Implement due process procedures to preserve and enhance state post-conviction relief in death sentence cases.
• Implement procedures to eliminate discrimination in capital sentencing based on race of the victim or defendant.
• Implement due process procedures to prevent the execution of mentally retarded persons and persons who were under 18 at the time of the offense.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor 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

Death Penalty