HB59 Summary

• Designates murder of a first responder operating in official capacity as a capital offense, with first responders including emergency medical services personnel licensed by Alabama Department of Public Health and firefighters/volunteer firefighters.

• Adds first responder victim as an aggravating circumstance in capital offense sentencing, alongside existing aggravating circumstances for law enforcement and correctional officer victims.

• Codifies the act as the William Buechner Act.

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

• Excluded from Amendment 621 requirements because it defines a new crime or amends the definition of an existing crime.