HB82 Alabama 2023 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Chris PringleRepresentative
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2023
Title: Relating to crimes and offenses; to amend Section 13A-6-3, Code of Alabama 1975, to further provide for the crime of manslaughter; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Section 111.05 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022.
Summary: HB82 expands manslaughter liability to drug distributors when a death results from distributing controlled substances, makes it a Class B felony, and includes a funding-exemption for local government requirements.
What This Bill Does
The bill adds a new provision to manslaughter: if a person knowingly sells, furnishes, gives away, delivers, or distributes a controlled substance in violation of drug laws and the user dies as a proximate result, that person commits manslaughter. Licensed physicians, pharmacists, and dentists are exempt from this liability when acting in their professional roles. Manslaughter remains a Class B felony. The bill is exempt from local funding approval requirements because it defines a new crime or amends an existing crime, and it takes effect on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects
Drug distributors and sellers who knowingly distribute a controlled substance, because they could be charged with manslaughter if someone dies from use.
Licensed physicians, pharmacists, and dentists, who are exempt from the new liability when practicing their professions.
Local governments, as the bill is exempt from Section 111.05 funding requirements and does not trigger local funding votes for enactment.

Key Provisions
Creates 13A-6-3(a)(3): knowingly sell, furnish, give away, deliver, or distribute a controlled substance in violation of Section 13A-12-211, and the death of the recipient is a proximate result, constitutes manslaughter.
Excludes licensed physicians, pharmacists, and dentists from applying the new manslaughter provision when acting in their professional practice.
Makes manslaughter a Class B felony.
Excludes the bill from 111.05 local funding requirements because it defines a new crime or amends an existing crime; becomes effective 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; to further provide for the crime of manslaughter