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Governor Kay Ivey urges swift passage of a bill imposing the death penalty for severe sexual crimes against children under 12, emphasizing child protection.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Governor Kay Ivey is calling on lawmakers to quickly pass the Child Predator Death Penalty Act, saying it is critical to protecting Alabama’s children. She highlighted the bill as a priority during her state of the state address Tuesday.
“When it comes to safeguarding our state there is no higher priority than protecting Alabama’s children,” said Governor Kay Ivey. “The passage of the Child Predator Death Penalty Act will provide the strongest legal shield possible for the most vulnerable of our society, our children. Their precious lives, and Alabama’s future, depend upon their preservation and we must not let them down. I call on lawmakers to pass this urgently needed legislation as soon as possible so I can sign it into law.”
The legislation, sponsored by state Rep. Matt Simpson and state Sen. April Weaver, would make certain felony sexual crimes against children under 12 — including first-degree rape, sodomy, and sexual assault — capital offenses punishable by death. If approved and signed into law, the bill would take effect Oct. 1, 2026.
A press release said the bill is designed to discourage people from committing crimes against children, highlighting last year’s Bibb County case in which eight people were arrested for raping, trafficking, and torturing at least 10 children, some as young as three.
“Our duty as a society should be to protect those who cannot protect themselves,” said Senator April Weaver. “The Child Predator Death Penalty Act should serve as an effective deterrent, keeping children safe from the unthinkable acts of child predators. I want to thank Governor Ivey for her strong support for this much-needed legislation.”
If passed by both houses and signed by the governor, the Child Predator Death Penalty Act would become effective October 1, 2026.
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