HB49 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Matt SimpsonRepresentative

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Crimes and offenses; rape 1st and sodomy 1st; penalties further provided for

Summary

HB49 would impose death or life without parole for adults, and life or life without parole for minors, when rape first-degree or sodomy first-degree involves a victim under six years old.

What This Bill Does

The bill changes penalties for rape first-degree and sodomy first-degree cases where the victim is under six, allowing the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole for adults (18+). For offenders under 18, it allows life imprisonment without parole or life. It also preserves a 30-year minimum, day-for-day, before any parole consideration for life sentences on these capital offenses, and specifies an effective date of October 1, 2025. The changes involve amendments to several related code sections to reflect these penalties.

Who It Affects

• Adults 18 and older who commit rape first-degree or sodomy first-degree against a child under six would face either the death penalty or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
• Individuals under 18 who commit those same crimes against a child under six would face life imprisonment without parole or life imprisonment.

Key Provisions

• Punishment for rape first-degree or sodomy first-degree when the victim is under six is upgraded to death or life without parole for adults; life without parole or life for minors.
• Any defendant sentenced to life on a capital offense must serve at least 30 years before being eligible for parole.
• The act becomes effective October 1, 2025.
• Sections amended: 13A-5-40, 13A-5-49, 13A-6-61, 13A-6-63, and 13A-6-65.1.

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 & Offenses