Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Bill HB49 Compare Versions

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55 By Representatives Simpson, Kiel, Yarbrough, Butler, Shirey,
66 Bedsole, Stadthagen, Rigsby, Lomax, Mooney, Givens, Brinyark
77 RFD: Judiciary
88 First Read: 04-Feb-25
99 PFD: 01-Oct-24
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16-7 HB49 Engrossed
16+7 ZUG2KRR-1 09/16/2024 CNB (L)bm 2024-1889
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19+SYNOPSIS:
20+Under existing law, rape in the first degree and
21+sodomy in the first degree are Class A felonies.
22+This bill would require that a person 18 years
23+of age or older convicted of rape in the first degree
24+or sodomy in the first degree when the victim is less
25+than six years of age shall be punished to either death
26+or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole
27+and if the offending person is less than 18 years of
28+age sentenced to life imprisonment without parole or
29+life.
1930 A BILL
2031 TO BE ENTITLED
2132 AN ACT
2233 Relating to crimes and offenses; to amend Sections
2334 13A-5-40, 13A-5-49, 13A-6-61, 13A-6-63, and 13A-6-65.1, Code
2435 of Alabama 1975, to revise the criminal penalties for
2536 violations of rape in the first degree and sodomy in the first
2637 degree when the victim is less than six years of age.
2738 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
2839 Section 1. Sections 13A-5-40, 13A-5-49, 13A-6-61,
2940 13A-6-63, and 13A-6-65.1, Code of Alabama 1975, are amended to
30-read as follows:
31-"§13A-5-40
32-(a) The following are capital offenses:
33-(1) Murder by the defendant during a kidnapping in the
34-first degree or an attempt thereof committed by the defendant.
35-(2) Murder by the defendant during a robbery in the
36-first degree or an attempt thereof committed by the defendant.
37-(3) Murder by the defendant during a rape in the first
38-or second degree or an attempt thereof committed by the
39-defendant; or murder by the defendant during sodomy in the
40-first or second degree or an attempt thereof committed by the
41-defendant.
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70+13A-6-63, and 13A-6-65.1, Code of Alabama 1975, are amended to
71+read as follows:
72+"§13A-5-40
73+(a) The following are capital offenses:
74+(1) Murder by the defendant during a kidnapping in the
75+first degree or an attempt thereof committed by the defendant.
76+(2) Murder by the defendant during a robbery in the
77+first degree or an attempt thereof committed by the defendant.
78+(3) Murder by the defendant during a rape in the first
79+or second degree or an attempt thereof committed by the
80+defendant; or murder by the defendant during sodomy in the
81+first or second degree or an attempt thereof committed by the
7182 defendant.
7283 (4) Murder by the defendant during a burglary in the
7384 first or second degree or an attempt thereof committed by the
7485 defendant.
7586 (5) Murder of any police officer, sheriff, deputy,
7687 state trooper, federal law enforcement officer, or any other
7788 state or federal peace officer of any kind, or prison or jail
7889 guard, while the officer or guard is on duty, regardless of
7990 whether the defendant knew or should have known the victim was
8091 an officer or guard on duty, or because of some official or
8192 job-related act or performance of the officer or guard.
8293 (6) Murder committed while the defendant is under
8394 sentence of life imprisonment.
8495 (7) Murder done for a pecuniary or other valuable
8596 consideration or pursuant to a contract or for hire.
8697 (8) Murder by the defendant during sexual abuse in the
8798 first or second degree or an attempt thereof committed by the
88-defendant.
89-(9) Murder by the defendant during arson in the first
90-or second degree committed by the defendant; or murder by the
91-defendant by means of explosives or explosion.
92-(10) Murder wherein two or more persons are murdered by
93-the defendant by one act or pursuant to one scheme or course
94-of conduct.
95-(11) Murder by the defendant when the victim is a state
96-or federal public official or former public official and the
97-murder stems from or is caused by or is related to his or her
98-official position, act, or capacity.
99-(12) Murder by the defendant during the act of
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128+first or second degree or an attempt thereof committed by the
129+defendant.
130+(9) Murder by the defendant during arson in the first
131+or second degree committed by the defendant; or murder by the
132+defendant by means of explosives or explosion.
133+(10) Murder wherein two or more persons are murdered by
134+the defendant by one act or pursuant to one scheme or course
135+of conduct.
136+(11) Murder by the defendant when the victim is a state
137+or federal public official or former public official and the
138+murder stems from or is caused by or is related to his or her
139+official position, act, or capacity.
129140 (12) Murder by the defendant during the act of
130141 unlawfully assuming control of any aircraft by use of threats
131142 or force with intent to obtain any valuable consideration for
132143 the release of the aircraft or any passenger or
133144 crewmencrewmember thereon, to direct the route or movement of
134145 the aircraft, or otherwise exert control over the aircraft.
135146 (13) Murder by a defendant who has been convicted of
136147 any other murder in the 20 years preceding the crime; provided
137148 that the murder whichthat constitutes the capital crime shall
138149 be murder as defined in subsection (b); and provided further
139150 that the prior murder conviction referred to shall include
140151 murder in any degree as defined at the time and place of the
141152 prior conviction.
142153 (14) Murder when the victim is subpoenaed, or has been
143154 subpoenaed, to testify, or the victim had testified, in any
144155 preliminary hearing, grand jury proceeding, criminal trial or
145156 criminal proceeding of whatever nature, or civil trial or
146-civil proceeding of whatever nature, in any municipal, state,
147-or federal court, when the murder stems from, is caused by, or
148-is related to the capacity or role of the victim as a witness.
149-(15) Murder when the victim is less than fourteen14
150-years of age.
151-(16) Murder committed by or through the use of a deadly
152-weapon fired or otherwise used from outside a dwelling while
153-the victim is in a dwelling.
154-(17) Murder committed by or through the use of a deadly
155-weapon while the victim is in a vehicle.
156-(18) Murder committed by or through the use of a deadly
157-weapon fired or otherwise used within or from a vehicle.
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186+criminal proceeding of whatever nature, or civil trial or
187+civil proceeding of whatever nature, in any municipal, state,
188+or federal court, when the murder stems from, is caused by, or
189+is related to the capacity or role of the victim as a witness.
190+(15) Murder when the victim is less than fourteen14
191+years of age.
192+(16) Murder committed by or through the use of a deadly
193+weapon fired or otherwise used from outside a dwelling while
194+the victim is in a dwelling.
195+(17) Murder committed by or through the use of a deadly
196+weapon while the victim is in a vehicle.
197+(18) Murder committed by or through the use of a deadly
187198 weapon fired or otherwise used within or from a vehicle.
188199 (19) Murder by the defendant where a court had issued a
189200 protective order for the victim, against the defendant,
190201 pursuant to Section 30-5-1 et seq. Chapter 5 of Title 30 , or
191202 the protective order was issued as a condition of the
192203 defendant's pretrial release.
193204 (20) Murder by the defendant in the presence of a child
194205 under the age of 14 years of age at the time of the offense,
195206 if the victim was the parent or legal guardian of the child.
196207 For purposes of this subsection, "in the presence of a child"
197208 means in the physical presence of a child or having knowledge
198209 that a child is present and may see or hear the act.
199210 (21) Murder when the victim is a first responder who is
200211 operating in an official capacity. For the purposes of this
201212 subdivision, "first responder" includes emergency medical
202213 services personnel licensed by the Alabama Department of
203214 Public Health and firefighters and volunteer firefighters as
204-defined by Section 36-32-1.
205-(22) Rape in the first degree when the victim is less
206-than 12 years of age.
207-(23) Sodomy in the first degree when the victim is less
208-than 12 years of age.
209-(b) Except as specifically provided to the contrary in
210-the last part of subdivision (a)(13), the terms "murder" and
211-"murder by the defendant" as used in this section to define
212-capital offenses mean murder as defined in Section
213-13A-6-2(a)(1), but not as defined in Section 13A-6-2(a)(2) and
214-(3). Subject to the provisions of Section 13A-5-41, murder as
215-defined in Section 13A-6-2(a)(2) and (3), as well as murder as
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244+Public Health and firefighters and volunteer firefighters as
245+defined by Section 36-32-1.
246+(22) Rape in the first degree when the victim is less
247+than six years of age.
248+(23) Sodomy in the first degree when the victim is less
249+than six years of age.
250+(b) Except as specifically provided to the contrary in
251+the last part of subdivision (a)(13), the terms "murder" and
252+"murder by the defendant" as used in this section to define
253+capital offenses mean murder as defined in Section
254+13A-6-2(a)(1), but not as defined in Section 13A-6-2(a)(2) and
255+(3). Subject to the provisions of Section 13A-5-41, murder as
245256 defined in Section 13A-6-2(a)(2) and (3), as well as murder as
246257 defined in Section 13A-6-2(a)(1), may be a lesser included
247258 offense of the capital offenses defined in subsection (a).
248259 (c) A defendant who does not personally commit the act
249260 of killing which constitutes the murder is not guilty of a
250261 capital offense defined in subsection (a) unless that
251262 defendant is legally accountable for the murder because of
252263 complicity in the murder itself under the provisions of
253264 Section 13A-2-23, in addition to being guilty of the other
254265 elements of the capital offense as defined in subsection (a).
255266 (d) To the extent that a crime other than murder is an
256267 element of a capital offense defined in subsection (a), a
257268 defendant's guilt of that other crime may also be established
258269 under Section 13A-2-23. When the defendant's guilt of that
259270 other crime is established under Section 13A-2-23, that crime
260271 shall be deemed to have been "committed by the defendant"
261272 within the meaning of that phrase as it is used in subsection
262-(a)."
263-"§13A-5-49
264-Aggravating circumstances shall be any of the
265-following:
266-(1) The capital offense was committed by a person under
267-sentence of imprisonment.
268-(2) The defendant was previously convicted of another
269-capital offense or a felony involving the use or threat of
270-violence to the person.
271-(3) The defendant knowingly created a great risk of
272-death to many persons.
273-(4) TheFor a violation of Section 13A-5-40(a)(1)
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302+within the meaning of that phrase as it is used in subsection
303+(a)."
304+"§13A-5-49
305+Aggravating circumstances shall be any of the
306+following:
307+(1) The capital offense was committed by a person under
308+sentence of imprisonment.
309+(2) The defendant was previously convicted of another
310+capital offense or a felony involving the use or threat of
311+violence to the person.
312+(3) The defendant knowingly created a great risk of
313+death to many persons.
303314 (4) TheFor a violation of Section 13A-5-40(a)(1)
304315 through (21), the capital offense was committed while the
305316 defendant was engaged or was an accomplice in the commission
306317 of, or an attempt to commit, or flight after committing, or
307318 attempting to commit, rape, robbery, burglary, or kidnapping.
308319 (5) The capital offense was committed for the purpose
309320 of avoiding or preventing a lawful arrest or effecting an
310321 escape from custody.
311322 (6) The capital offense was committed for pecuniary
312323 gain.
313324 (7) The capital offense was committed to disrupt or
314325 hinder the lawful exercise of any governmental function or the
315326 enforcement of laws.
316327 (8) The capital offense was especially heinous,
317328 atrocious, or cruel compared to other capital offenses.
318329 (9) The defendant intentionally caused the death of two
319330 or more persons by one act or pursuant to one scheme or course
320-of conduct.
321-(10) The capital offense was one of a series of
322-intentional killings committed by the defendant.
323-(11) TheFor a violation of Section 13A-5-40(a)(1)
324-through (21), the capital offense was committed when the
325-victim was less than 14 years of age.
326-(12) The capital offense was committed by the defendant
327-in the presence of a child under the age of 14 years of age at
328-the time of the offense, if the victim was the parent or legal
329-guardian of the child. For the purposes of this subdivision,
330-"in the presence of a child" means in the physical presence of
331-a child or having knowledge that a child is present and may
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360+or more persons by one act or pursuant to one scheme or course
361+of conduct.
362+(10) The capital offense was one of a series of
363+intentional killings committed by the defendant.
364+(11) TheFor a violation of Section 13A-5-40(a)(1)
365+through (21), the capital offense was committed when the
366+victim was less than 14 years of age.
367+(12) The capital offense was committed by the defendant
368+in the presence of a child under the age of 14 years of age at
369+the time of the offense, if the victim was the parent or legal
370+guardian of the child. For the purposes of this subdivision,
371+"in the presence of a child" means in the physical presence of
361372 a child or having knowledge that a child is present and may
362373 see or hear the act.
363374 (13) The victim of the capital offense was any police
364375 officer, sheriff, deputy, state trooper, federal law
365376 enforcement officer, or any other state or federal peace
366377 officer of any kind, or prison or jail guard, while the
367378 officer or guard was on duty, regardless of whether the
368379 defendant knew or should have known the victim was an officer
369380 or guard on duty, or because of some official or job-related
370381 act or performance of the officer or guard.
371382 (14) The victim of the capital offense was a first
372383 responder who was operating in an official capacity. For the
373384 purposes of this subdivision, "first responder" includes
374385 emergency medical services personnel licensed by the Alabama
375386 Department of Public Health, as well as firefighters and
376387 volunteer firefighters as defined by Section 36-32-1."
377388 "§13A-6-61
378-(a) A person commits the crime of rape in the first
379-degree if he or she does any of the following:
380-(1) Engages in sexual intercourse with another person
381-by forcible compulsion.
382-(2) Engages in sexual intercourse with another person
383-who is incapable of consent by reason of being incapacitated.
384-(3) Being 16 years oldof age or older, engages in
385-sexual intercourse with another person who is less than 12
386-years oldof age.
387-(b) Rape in the first degree is a Class A felony ;
388-provided, that the punishment for a violation of subdivision
389-(a)(3) shall be as determined and fixed as provided in Article
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418+"§13A-6-61
419+(a) A person commits the crime of rape in the first
420+degree if he or she does any of the following:
421+(1) Engages in sexual intercourse with another person
422+by forcible compulsion.
423+(2) Engages in sexual intercourse with another person
424+who is incapable of consent by reason of being incapacitated.
425+(3) Being 16 years oldof age or older, engages in
426+sexual intercourse with another person who is less than 12
427+years oldof age.
428+(b) Rape in the first degree is a Class A felony ;
429+provided, that the punishment for a violation of subdivision
419430 (a)(3) shall be as determined and fixed as provided in Article
420431 2 of Chapter 5. Any defendant sentenced to life on a capital
421432 offense must serve a minimum of 30 years, day for day, prior
422433 to his or her first consideration of parole ."
423434 "§13A-6-63
424435 (a) A person commits the crime of sodomy in the first
425436 degree if he or she does any of the following:
426437 (1) Engages in sodomy with another person by forcible
427438 compulsion.
428439 (2) Engages in sodomy with another person who is
429440 incapable of consent by reason of being incapacitated.
430441 (3) Being 16 years oldof age or older, engages in
431442 sodomy with a person who is less than 12 years oldof age.
432443 (b) Sodomy in the first degree is a Class A felony ;
433444 provided, that the punishment for a violation of subdivision
434445 (a)(3) shall be as determined and fixed as provided in Article
435446 2 of Chapter 5. Any defendant sentenced to life on a capital
436-offense must serve a minimum of 30 years, day for day, prior
437-to his or her first consideration of parole ."
438-"§13A-6-65.1
439-(a) A person commits the crime of sexual torture if he
440-or she does any of the following:
441-(1) Penetrates the vagina, anus, or mouth of another
442-person with an inanimate object, by forcible compulsion, with
443-the intent to sexually torture, sexually abuse, or to gratify
444-the sexual desire of either party.
445-(2) Penetrates the vagina, anus, or mouth of a person
446-who is incapable of consent by reason of being incapacitated,
447-with an inanimate object, with the intent to sexually torture,
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476+2 of Chapter 5. Any defendant sentenced to life on a capital
477+offense must serve a minimum of 30 years, day for day, prior
478+to his or her first consideration of parole ."
479+"§13A-6-65.1
480+(a) A person commits the crime of sexual torture if he
481+or she does any of the following:
482+(1) Penetrates the vagina, anus, or mouth of another
483+person with an inanimate object, by forcible compulsion, with
484+the intent to sexually torture, sexually abuse, or to gratify
485+the sexual desire of either party.
486+(2) Penetrates the vagina, anus, or mouth of a person
487+who is incapable of consent by reason of being incapacitated,
477488 with an inanimate object, with the intent to sexually torture,
478489 sexually abuse, or to gratify the sexual desire of either
479490 party.
480491 (3) Penetrates the vagina, anus, or mouth of a person
481492 who is less than 12 years oldof age, with an inanimate object,
482493 by a person who is 16 years oldof age or older with the intent
483494 to sexually torture, sexually abuse, or to gratify the sexual
484495 desire of either party.
485496 (4) By inflicting physical injury, including, but not
486497 limited to, burning, crushing, wounding, mutilating, or
487498 assaulting the sex organs or intimate parts of another person,
488499 with the intent to sexually torture, sexually abuse, or to
489500 gratify the sexual desire of either party.
490501 (b) The crime of sexual torture is a Class A felony ;
491502 provided, that the punishment for a violation of subdivision
492503 (a)(3) shall be as determined and fixed as provided in Article
493504 2 of Chapter 5. Any defendant sentenced to life on a capital
494-offense must serve a minimum of 30 years, day for day, prior
495-to his or her first consideration of parole ."
496-Section 2. This act shall become effective on October
497-1, 2025.
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519-1, 2025.
520-House of Representatives
521-Read for the first time and referred
522-to the House of Representatives
523-committee on Judiciary
524-................04-Feb-25
525-Read for the second time and placed
526-on the calendar:
527- 1 amendment
528-................05-Feb-25
529-Read for the third time and passed
530-as amended
531-Yeas 86
532-Nays 5
533-Abstains 9
534-................11-Feb-25
535-John Treadwell
536-Clerk
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534+2 of Chapter 5. Any defendant sentenced to life on a capital
535+offense must serve a minimum of 30 years, day for day, prior
536+to his or her first consideration of parole ."
537+Section 2. This act shall become effective on October
538+1, 2025.
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