HB260 Alabama 2022 Session

Updated Feb 22, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Matt SimpsonRepresentative
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2022
Title: Crimes and offenses, to further provide for the crime of criminal homicide, Sec. 13A-6-5 added.
Summary: HB260 ends the year-and-a-day rule and allows homicide charges if a wrongful act causes death, regardless of how long after the act the death occurs.
What This Bill Does
Adds a new code section 13A-6-5 to allow prosecution for any form of criminal homicide if the wrongful act causes death, regardless of time elapsed. Abrogates the common law year-and-a-day rule. Applies to acts occurring on or after the bill’s effective date. The bill is described as creating or amending a crime, and it is noted as exempt from certain local-funding requirements under Amendment 621.

Who It Affects
People accused of homicide: can be prosecuted for homicide even if the victim dies long after the wrongful act.
Law enforcement, prosecutors, and crime victims’ families: the timeline for bringing homicide charges is broadened to cover deaths caused by earlier wrongful acts.

Key Provisions
Adds Section 13A-6-5 to allow prosecution for any form of criminal homicide if the wrongful act causes death, regardless of time elapsed.
Explicitly abrogates the common law year-and-a-day rule.
Applies to acts occurring on or after the act’s effective date.
Section 2 states the bill is excluded from local-funding requirements under Amendment 621 because it defines a new crime or amends the definition of an existing crime.
Effective date: first day of the third month following its passage and governor’s 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