HB330 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tim WadsworthRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Crimes and offenses, crime of drug-induced murder, created

Summary

HB330 would create a new crime called drug-induced murder for knowingly selling or distributing Schedule I–V controlled substances that cause a death, with exemptions for licensed professionals and higher penalties for those with prior felony drug convictions.

What This Bill Does

It defines drug-induced murder as selling, furnishing, giving away, delivering, or distributing a Schedule I–V substance to someone, where that substance causes death. It provides exemptions for licensed medical practitioners and other professionals who distribute controlled substances in the course of practice or research. It imposes a Class B felony for violators, and if the offender has a prior felony drug conviction, the penalty would be at least 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.

Who It Affects

• Individuals who knowingly sell, furnish, give away, deliver, or distribute Schedule I–V drugs and cause a death (could be charged with drug-induced murder).
• Licensed health professionals and facilities (physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, veterinarians, pharmacists, hospitals, etc.) when acting within professional practice or research (exempt from the new crime).
• People with prior felony drug convictions (who are later convicted of drug-induced murder) would face enhanced penalties.

Key Provisions

• Creates the crime of drug-induced murder defined as knowingly selling, furnishing, giving away, delivering, or distributing a Schedule I–V controlled substance to another person, where that substance causes death.
• Exempts licensed healthcare practitioners and facilities (e.g., physicians, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, hospitals, pharmacies, and research institutions) when distributing substances in the course of professional practice or research.
• Sets penalties: drug-induced murder is a Class B felony; if the offender has a prior felony drug conviction, the sentence is not less than 20 years and a $500,000 fine.
• Addresses local funds requirements under Amendment 621, stating the bill is excluded from those requirements because it defines a new crime or amends an existing crime.
• Effective date: 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 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses