QUOTE, I DON’T GET DOWN LIKE THAT AND I’M GOING TO TREAT ALL Y’ALL FAIR. THE HOUSE OVERWHELMINGLY PASSED A BILL TO PUNISH CHILD PREDATORS MUCH HARSHER WITH THE DEATH PENALTY. NOW IT’S MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE SENATE, LAWMAKERS PUSHING REALLY HARD FOR THIS BILL AFTER THE BIBB COUNTY SEX RING WAS UNCOVERED LAST YEAR, THE TOTAL OF EIGHT SUSPECTS AND AT LEAST TEN CHILD VICTIMS, WITH THE YOUNGEST AT JUST THREE YEARS OLD. IN THAT CASE, OUR CURRENT STATE LAW SAYS THE PUNISHMENT FOR RAPING OR SODOMIZING A CHILD FIVE YEARS OR YOUNGER IS LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT PAROLE. THIS NEW BILL WILL MAKE IT SO. THE HIGHEST FORM OF PUNISHMENT IS THE DEATH PENALTY. IF THE JURY DECIDES IT’S NECESSARY. RIGHT NOW, THE BILL IS PAUSED IN SENATE COMMITTEE AS THEY REVIEW THE LANGUAGE AND MAKE SURE IT WILL AVOID FUTURE LEGAL PROBLEMS. THIS IS JUST ONE OF MANY BILLS THEY’RE WORKING THROUGH THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION, SOME OTHERS TO KEEP YOUR EYE OUT FOR IS THE BILL ON SOCIAL MEDIA AGE RESTRICTIONS. ADDRESSING THE SCHOOL BUS SHORTAGE A
The Alabama House of Representatives has passed HB 41, its version of the Child Predator Death Penalty Act, advancing the legislation to the Senate for further review.The House’s overwhelming approval of the bill, 73 yes, 6 no, 17 abstain, was anticipated, given the strong support from Gov. Kay Ivey since its introduction. The push for this legislation gained momentum following the child sex trafficking case in Bibb County last year, where eight individuals were convicted, and at least 10 children ages 3 to 15 years old were victimized. Under current state law, the punishment for raping or sodomizing a child 5 years or younger is life in prison without parole. The new bill proposes that the death penalty could be the highest form of punishment if deemed necessary by a jury.Currently, the Senate bill is paused in committee as lawmakers work to ensure the language is precise and will not lead to legal issues in the future. There is no set timeline for when the committee will approve it or when the full Senate will consider it, which could take weeks or months.This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available. Stay updated on the latest stories with the WVTM 13 app. You can download it here.
The Alabama House of Representatives has passed HB 41, its version of the Child Predator Death Penalty Act, advancing the legislation to the Senate for further review.
The House’s overwhelming approval of the bill, 73 yes, 6 no, 17 abstain, was anticipated, given the strong support from Gov. Kay Ivey since its introduction.
The push for this legislation gained momentum following the child sex trafficking case in Bibb County last year, where eight individuals were convicted, and at least 10 children ages 3 to 15 years old were victimized.
Under current state law, the punishment for raping or sodomizing a child 5 years or younger is life in prison without parole. The new bill proposes that the death penalty could be the highest form of punishment if deemed necessary by a jury.
Currently, the Senate bill is paused in committee as lawmakers work to ensure the language is precise and will not lead to legal issues in the future. There is no set timeline for when the committee will approve it or when the full Senate will consider it, which could take weeks or months.
This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available. Stay updated on the latest stories with the WVTM 13 app. You can download it here.
