HB229 Summary

• Prohibits use of nonviolent offenses as sentence enhancements under Alabama's habitual felony offender law (Section 13A-5-9).

• Creates new Section 13A-5-14 allowing individuals sentenced to life without parole under habitual felony offender laws prior to May 26, 2000 to file for sentence reduction, excluding those convicted of homicide, sex offenses, or offenses causing serious physical injury.

• Requires courts to consider underlying offense, defendant's prison conduct, age, likelihood of successful reentry, and firearm use when evaluating sentence reduction motions, with victim and district attorney having right to be heard.

• Mandates hearing on reduction motions within 90 days of filing and prohibits courts from entertaining subsequent motions if a previous one was denied.

• Repeals Section 13A-5-14 automatically five years after the effective date of the act.