House Bill 243 Alabama 2026 Session

Updated Feb 12, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Margie WilcoxRepresentative
Republican
Session: 2026 Regular Session
Title: Crimes and offenses; manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and other motor vehicle crimes amended, restitution amended
Summary: HB243 would create a new Class B felony for DUI-related deaths, raise penalties for motor-vehicle crash offenses, expand restitution for crash victims, and add fentanyl-related death provisions to the criminal code, all under the Devinee Rooney and John Wesley Safe Streets Act with an effective date of October 1, 2026.
What This Bill Does
The bill creates a new manslaughter offense (Class B) for driving or operating a vehicle or vessel while under the influence that results in a death. It reclassifies penalties for motor-vehicle crash violations: physical injury would be a Class C felony, and serious physical injury or death would be a Class B felony. It adds a fentanyl-related provision making it possible for reckless sellers of fentanyl to face manslaughter charges, with exemptions for certain licensed professionals. It also expands restitution by allowing victims of crash-related crimes to be treated as restitution victims, and it sets the act’s effective date as October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects
Drivers or vessel operators who drive under the influence; they could face a new Class B felony for causing a death and other DUI-related penalties.
Victims of motor-vehicle crashes and their families or estates (and others who suffer damages from crash-related crimes), who would be subject to enhanced charges and restored restitution rights.

Key Provisions
Creates manslaughter as a Class B felony when a person drives or operates a vehicle or vessel under the influence and causes death.
For motor-vehicle crashes, makes physical injury a Class C felony and serious physical injury or death a Class B felony, replacing prior classifications for these offenses.
Adds a fentanyl-related manslaughter provision: knowingly selling fentanyl or fentanyl-containing substances that cause death can trigger a manslaughter charge, with carve-outs for licensed medical professionals.
Requires that individuals who suffer damage or loss from crash-related criminal conduct be considered victims for restitution purposes.
Effective date: 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: Crimes & Offenses