HB161 Alabama 2018 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Chris SellsRepresentative
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2018
Title: Capital offenses, aggravating circumstances if victim was a law enforcement or correctional officer, first responder, or under 14 years of age, Secs. 13A-5-40, 13A-5-49 am'd.
Summary: HB 161 adds new aggravating circumstances to capital offenses when the victim is a law enforcement officer, prison or jail guard, a first responder, or is under 14 years old.
What This Bill Does
The bill expands the list of factors that can make a capital offense more severe by including these specific victims as aggravating circumstances. It covers police and other law enforcement on duty, prison or jail guards on duty, and first responders on duty, plus any victim under 14. It also notes implications related to local funding requirements under Amendment 621 but states the bill is exempt from those requirements because it defines a new crime or amends an existing crime. The act would take effect on the first day of the third month after it passes and is approved.

Who It Affects
Victims who were law enforcement officers, prison or jail guards, first responders, or under 14 years old — their status would be used as aggravating factors in capital cases.
Defendants responding to capital offenses — sentencing could be more likely to result in the death penalty or harsher penalties due to the added aggravating factors.

Key Provisions
Amends Section 13A-5-49 to include as aggravating circumstances: the victim was a law enforcement officer, prison or jail guard, or a first responder, or the victim was under 14.
Specifies that victims include various on-duty law enforcement personnel (police, sheriff, deputy, state/federal officers) and on-duty prison or jail guards; first responders (including EMS personnel and firefighters) on duty; and victims under 14.
Notes the bill would involve new or increased local funding under Amendment 621, but is exempt from those local-funding requirements because the bill defines a new crime or amends an existing crime.
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: Crimes and Offenses