HB544 Summary

• Repeals the death penalty in Alabama by removing death as a potential punishment for capital offenses, with life imprisonment without parole becoming the maximum sentence for adults.

• Modifies sentencing for defendants convicted of capital offenses under age 18 to require either life without parole or life imprisonment (with a minimum 30-year term before parole eligibility), determined by judge without jury participation.

• Repeals sections of Alabama Code establishing death penalty sentencing procedures, including provisions for sentencing hearings, jury participation in capital cases, and capital punishment appeals processes.

• Amends Section 15-18-100 to remove references to death sentence commutation, limiting the judge's discretionary postponement authority to applications for pardon only.

• Takes effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor or upon becoming law.