Bill > HB29

This bill amends Alabama's manslaughter statute to include a new provision specifically addressing sexual extortion resulting in the death of a victim under 18 years old. Under the proposed change, if a person commits sexual extortion against a minor and the victim dies, and the court finds beyond a reasonable doubt that the sexual extortion was the proximate cause of the victim's death, the offender can be charged with manslaughter. Notably, the bill explicitly states that if the victim dies by suicide, this will be considered a foreseeable consequence of sexual extortion and not an independent intervening cause. The bill establishes this specific type of manslaughter as a Class A felony (a more serious classification compared to the standard Class B felony for manslaughter), reflecting the severe nature of the crime against a vulnerable victim. The legislation is set to take effect on October 1, 2026, providing time for legal systems and stakeholders to prepare for the new statute. This change appears designed to provide legal recourse and enhanced penalties for situations where sexual extortion leads to a victim's death, with a particular focus on protecting minors from such extreme forms of sexual violence.

Justice

https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/bill-search