HB9 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mark GidleyRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Abuse and exploitation of an elder, effect of conviction on intestate succession, wills, joint assets, and other contractual obligations provided

Summary

HB9 would bar an elder-abuse or financial-exploitation offender from inheriting or benefiting from an elder’s assets and would strip the offender’s rights in joint ownership and certain contracts if they killed the elder.

What This Bill Does

The bill extends existing no-benefit rules from killers to people convicted of elder abuse or financial exploitation of an elder. If convicted, the offender cannot receive any benefits from the elder’s will or intestate estate, and the elder’s estate passes as if the killer predeceased the decedent. It also severs the offender’s rights in joint accounts and other forms of co-ownership, and it denies benefits from bonds, life insurance, or other contracts where the elder was the obligee. The act defines abuse, sets how convictions are treated, and includes protections for people who bought property from the offender without notice, with an effective date of October 1, 2026; insurers and banks must receive notice before paying claims to avoid liability.

Who It Affects

• Offenders convicted of elder abuse or financial exploitation, who would be barred from benefits and lose joint-ownership rights.
• Decedents’ heirs, devisees, joint tenants/owners, and named beneficiaries on contracts (as well as insurers and banks) who would see their expected benefits or property adjusted under the new rules.

Key Provisions

• Extends no-benefit rules to elder abuse/financial exploitation convictions, barring the offender from will/intestate benefits and treating the death as if the killer predeceased the decedent.
• If the offender is a joint tenant or co-owner who kills, their survivorship rights are terminated and the decedent's share passes to others; applies to various forms of co-ownership and accounts.
• Named beneficiaries on bonds, life insurance, or contracts who kill the obligee are not entitled to benefits; payments are treated as if the killer predeceased.
• Other property or interests acquired by the killer are handled under the same principles.
• Defines 'abuse' to include elder abuse or neglect (1st/2nd degree) and financial exploitation (1st/2nd degree); a final conviction is conclusive; if no conviction, courts may decide by preponderance of evidence.
• Protects innocent purchasers who bought from the killer for value without notice; the killer remains liable for the value of such property; insurers/banks are not liable unless they had notice before payment.
• Effective date is October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crimes & Offenses