SB2292 Summary

• Amends first degree murder statute to require that when acting alone during a forcible felony, the defendant must personally cause the death, rather than just cause a death during the commission of the felony.

• Adds requirement for accomplice liability in felony murder cases: when acting with others, a participant's knowledge that another participant would engage in conduct resulting in death or great bodily harm must be proven.

• Adds new aggravating factor (subsection 22) allowing death penalty eligibility when murdered individual was a member of a congregation engaged in prayer or religious activities at a church, synagogue, mosque, or other place of worship.

• Changes language throughout to use gender-neutral pronouns ("he or she") and updates various references to align with modern statutory language.

• Maintains existing sentencing procedures, mitigating factors, and appellate review requirements for capital cases.