Alabama Lawmakers Simpson, Weaver Pre-File 'Child Predator Death Penalty Act' for 2026 Session
Bill will expand death penalty to those convicted of raping or sodomizing children under the age of 12
Alabama State Representative Matt Simpson (R-Daphne) and State Senator April Weaver (R-Brierfield) have officially pre-filed the "Child Predator Death Penalty Act" for the 2026 legislative session. The proposed legislation, designated as House Bill 41 and Senate Bill 17, has already garnered support from 23 Republican senators and 52 Republican members of the Alabama House of Representatives.
The bill seeks to expand the State's capital punishment statutes to include individuals convicted of raping or sodomizing children under the age of 12. If enacted and upheld by the courts, the law would make such offenders eligible for the death penalty, with execution carried out at Holman Prison.
In a joint statement, Simpson and Weaver emphasized the urgency of the legislation, stating, "Speaker Ledbetter and Pro Tem Gudger have assured us that quick passage of this legislation will be a top priority during the 2026 regular session." They further asserted, "Once this bill is enacted and passes court muster, predators who abuse the most innocent among us will be eligible to receive the punishment they deserve — execution in Holman prison."
The proposal follows a recent surge in support for similar measures across the United States. States such as Florida, Tennessee, Idaho, Oklahoma, and Mississippi have enacted laws permitting the death penalty for certain child sexual offenses, challenging the U.S. Supreme Court's 2008 decision in Kennedy v. Louisiana, which deemed the execution of child rapists unconstitutional. Proponents of the Alabama bill hope to prompt a reevaluation of that precedent.
The introduction of the "Child Predator Death Penalty Act" comes in the wake of a disturbing child sex trafficking case in Bibb County, Alabama. Authorities uncovered a network involving the abuse of children as young as two years old. Seven individuals have been arrested and charged with various offenses, including rape, sodomy, and human trafficking. The case has drawn national attention and intensified calls for stricter penalties for child sexual abuse.
Senator Weaver, who represents Bibb County, expressed the gravity of the situation, stating, "I believe that there is a special place in hell for child sex predators. And when we pass this bill and when it is approved by the courts, there is also going to be a special place in Alabama for child sex predators, and that is on death row in Holman Prison."
The pre-filing of the legislation marks the beginning of what is expected to be a contentious debate in the upcoming legislative session. Supporters argue that the bill is necessary to protect vulnerable children and deter potential offenders, while opponents raise concerns about the constitutionality and ethical implications of expanding the death penalty.
Ed. note: neither HB17 nor SB41 were available on ALISON at press time.
