HB399 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris PringleRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Crimes and offenses, manslaughter, death resulting from unlawful sale of a controlled substance, Sec. 13A-6-3 am'd.

Summary

HB399 would make it manslaughter if a person sells or distributes a controlled substance and someone dies from using it.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends the law to treat the sale or distribution of a controlled substance, when death results from its use, as manslaughter. It creates an exception for licensed physicians, pharmacists, and dentists practicing their professions. Manslaughter would be a Class B felony. The bill also notes that, although it would involve new local fund costs, it is exempt from local-funding approval requirements because it defines a new crime; it becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Sellers, distributors, or others who provide a controlled substance in violation of the law: if the user dies as a proximate result, the distributor could be charged with manslaughter.
• Licensed medical professionals (physicians, pharmacists, dentists) who distribute substances in the course of their practice: exempt from this manslaughter provision.
• Local government entities: affected by the funding-related provisions, but the bill is exempt from requiring local approval or funding under Amendment 621 because it defines a new crime.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 13A-6-3 to add that selling, furnishing, giving away, delivering, or distributing a controlled substance in violation of Section 13A-12-211, resulting in death of the user, constitutes manslaughter.
• Specifies that manslaughter is a Class B felony.
• Provides an exception for licensed physicians, pharmacists, and dentists acting within their professional duties.
• Declares that the bill would require a new or increased expenditure of local funds, but it is exempt from Amendment 621 requirements because it defines a new crime.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month following 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

Controlled Substances