House Bill 243 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Margie Wilcox Representative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Crimes and offenses; manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and other motor vehicle crimes amended, restitution amended

Description

Under existing law, a person commits the crime of criminally negligent homicide if he or she causes the death of another individual by criminal negligence.

Criminally negligent homicide is a Class A misdemeanor.

However, in cases where the criminally negligent homicide is caused by the driver or operator of a vehicle or vessel who is under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, criminally negligent homicide is a Class C felony.

This bill would provide that a person commits the crime of manslaughter if he or she drives or operates a vehicle or vessel while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance and causes the death of another individual. Manslaughter is a Class B felony.

Under existing law, a violation of the legal requirements for individuals involved in a motor vehicle accident involving death or personal injury are punished for a Class C felony.

This bill would provide that a violation of the legal requirements for individuals involved in a motor vehicle accident shall be punished for a Class C felony if the violation involved a physical injury, and for a Class B felony if the violation involved a serious HB243 INTRODUCED physical injury or a death.

This bill would also provide that any individual who suffers any damage or loss in connection with criminal conduct that results in a conviction for a violation of the legal requirements for individuals involved in a motor vehicle accident shall be considered a victim for the purposes of restitution.

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Subjects

Crimes & Offenses