SB2275 Summary

• Modifies aggravating factors for death penalty eligibility in first degree murder cases, limiting capital punishment to specific circumstances including murder of peace officers, multiple murders, murders of children under 12 with exceptional brutality, and witness intimidation murders.

• Creates a new category of natural life imprisonment sentences for first degree murder convictions when aggravating factors are present but do not meet death penalty criteria, including murders of correctional facility inmates or employees and murders committed during certain felonies.

• Adds 13 new aggravating factors for natural life sentences, including murders of healthcare workers, public officials, teachers on school grounds, and murders involving torture or intentional firearm discharge from vehicles.

• Repeals the prior provision abolishing the death penalty and restructures sentencing procedures to require separate hearings and jury unanimity before imposing death sentences, with enhanced appellate review standards.

• Allows courts to decertify capital cases when conviction rests solely on uncorroborated informant testimony or a single eyewitness/accomplice without corroboration.