HB131 Summary

• Proposes a constitutional amendment to Section 16 of the Alabama Constitution to be known as "Aniah's Law," establishing a right to reasonable bail before conviction.

• Denies bail eligibility for 15 specific serious offenses: capital murder, murder, first-degree kidnapping, first-degree rape, first-degree sodomy, sexual torture, first-degree domestic violence, first-degree human trafficking, first-degree burglary, first-degree arson, first-degree robbery, terrorism when the specified offense is a Class A felony other than murder, and aggravated child abuse of a child under age six.

• References specific Alabama Code sections for each enumerated offense to define which crimes are ineligible for bail.

• Requires a statewide election on the proposed amendment, with election officials to assign a ballot number and provide voters with yes/no voting options.

• Passed by the House on February 23, 2021, amended and passed by the Senate on April 6, 2021, and concurred by the House on April 15, 2021.