HB68 Summary

• Amends Section 13A-5-49 of the Alabama Code to add two new aggravating circumstances for capital offenses involving law enforcement and corrections personnel and victims under age 14.

• Establishes that a capital offense is an aggravating circumstance if the victim was any police officer, sheriff, deputy, state trooper, federal law enforcement officer, or prison or jail guard while on duty, regardless of whether the defendant knew of the victim's status.

• Establishes that a capital offense is an aggravating circumstance if the victim was less than 14 years of age.

• Excludes the bill from Amendment 621 constitutional requirements regarding local expenditures because the bill defines a new crime or amends the definition of an existing crime.

• Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.