HB11 Alabama 2026 Session

Updated Mar 19, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Phillip PettusRepresentative
Republican
Session: 2026 Regular Session
Title: Youthful offender status, to prohibit a judge from granting youthful offender status to any person who is 16 years of age and older and charged with capital murder or murder
Summary: HB11 would bar youthful offender status for anyone 16 or older charged with capital murder or murder, moving their case toward adult prosecution.
What This Bill Does
This bill amends Section 15-19-1 of the Alabama Code to prevent a judge from granting youthful offender status to defendants who are 16 years or older at the time of a capital murder or murder charge. If the initial charge is later reduced to a lesser offense, the defendant may still be eligible for youthful offender status. It also adds victim-notice rights and requires an evidentiary hearing on the crime and injuries before determining youthful offender status in cases that involve serious harm or killing. The act becomes effective on October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects
People age 16 or older at the time of a capital murder or murder offense, who would no longer be eligible for youthful offender status and would be prosecuted as adults.
Crime victims in cases involving serious injury or killing, who must receive at least 10 days' notice before a youthful offender hearing and are considered as part of the court's evidentiary process.

Key Provisions
Amends Section 15-19-1, Code of Alabama 1975 to ban youthful offender status for defendants aged 16 or older charged with capital murder or murder.
Prohibits initial capital murder or murder charges from being tried as youthful offenders unless the initial charge is reduced to a lesser offense.
Requires victim notice at least 10 days before hearings and mandates an evidentiary hearing on the alleged crime and injuries before deciding youthful offender status in relevant cases.
Officially titled 'Jolee's Law' and sets an effective date of October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 11, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Criminal Procedure