HB233 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Merika ColemanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

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

Summary

HB 233 would place a three-year moratorium on both the imposition and execution of the death penalty and require new procedures to ensure fair and impartial administration.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the bill would pause death penalty impositions and executions for three years. During the moratorium, it requires implementing specific safeguards: using the American Bar Association guidelines for death penalty defense counseling, strengthening post-conviction relief procedures, eliminating race-based discrimination in capital sentencing, and preventing the execution of people with intellectual disabilities. The changes aim to ensure due process and reduce the risk of wrongful executions.

Who It Affects

• Defendants facing a death sentence or currently on death row in Alabama would experience a three-year pause on death penalty actions and be subject to new fairness safeguards.
• Defense attorneys and the state's death-penalty system (including prosecutors and courts) would implement the ABA defense guidelines, enhanced post-conviction processes, anti-discrimination measures, and protections for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Key Provisions

• Three-year moratorium on the imposition or execution of the death penalty.
• During the moratorium, implement: (1) ABA Guidelines for the Appointment and Performance of Defense Counsel in Death Penalty Cases; (2) due process procedures to preserve/enhance state post-conviction relief in death sentence cases; (3) procedures to eliminate discrimination in capital sentencing based on race of victim or defendant; (4) due process procedures to prevent the execution of persons with intellectual disabilities.
• 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