Below are important pieces of death penalty legislation that have recently passed or are currently being considered. (DPIC welcomes additions and suggestions.)
(Left: A board displays the vote totals in the Kentucky Senate on HB 269, a bill to prohibit the imposition of the death penalty against individuals with a documented history of serious mental illness. One late vote was added to the tally displayed on the vote board. The 25-9 vote on March 25, 2022 completed legislative approval of the measure, which was forwarded to the governor for final action.)
2024 - Proposed legislation
States with bills to abolish death penalty indicated with *
Session dates via StateScape
State names link to state legislative homepage
ALABAMA (Session dates: 02/06/2024 - 05/17/2024) | ||
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Bill number | Bill Description | Status |
HB27 | Prior to 2017, judicial override — the judge implementing a decision contrary to the jury’s recommendation — was permitted. This bill would allow defendants sentenced to death via judicial override to be resentenced. | Introduced by Rep. Chris England (D) on December 1, 2023. |
ARIZONA (Session dates: 01/08/2024 - 04/26/2024) | ||
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Bill number | Bill Description | Status |
SB 1232 | Would add sexual conduct with a minor as an offense that can be punishable by death | Primarily sponsored by Sen. Champs (R), with co-sponsors Sen. Carroll (R) and Gowan (R). First read by Senate on January 29, 2024 and referred to Judiciary Committee and Rules Committee. |
CALIFORNIA (Session dates: 12/05/2022 - 11/30/2024) | ||
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Bill number | Bill Description | Status |
SB 590 | Would add murder of a child under age 12 as an aggravating circumstance. | Introduced by Sen. Shannon Grove (R) on February 15, 2023. |
SB 1001 | Would codify case law exempting those with intellectual disability from the death penalty and clarify the definition of intellectual disability. | Introduced by Sen. Skinner (D) on February 1, 2024. |
DELAWARE* (Session dates: 01/10/2023 - 06/30/2024) | ||
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Bill number | Bill Description | Status |
HB 70 | Would eliminate the death penalty and resentence those convicted of first-degree murder committed after 18 years of age to life without parole. | Introduced by Rep. Sean Lynn and assigned to Judiciary Committee on January 25, 2023. Co-sponsored by Sen. Hoffner (D), Sen. McBride (D), Rep. Baumbach (D), and Rep Neal (D). Additional sponsors include Sen. Gay (D) and Rep. Morrison (D). |
FLORIDA (Session dates: 01/09/2024 - 03/08/2024) | ||
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Bill number | Bill Description | Status |
GEORGIA (Session dates: 01/09/2023 - 04/02/2024) | ||
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Bill number | Bill Description | Status |
HB 1014 | Would provide pretrial proceedings when the accused has an intellectual disability in capital offense cases where the death penalty is sought | Introduced by Reps. Werkheiser (R), Reeves (R), Silcox (R), Holcomb (D), Smith (R), and Gunter (R) on January 24, 2024. |
HAWAII (Session dates: 01/18/2023 - 05/03/2024 est.) | ||
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Bill number | Bill Description | Status |
HB 1737 | Would provide for a sentence of death or life imprisonment without possibility of parole upon conviction for sex trafficking of a minor; requires separate sentencing proceedings after conviction before a jury. | Introduced by Reps. Pierick and Garcia (R) on January 19, 2024. Referred to Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee on January 24. |
IDAHO (Session dates: 01/08/2024 - 03/29/2024) | ||
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Bill number | Bill Description | Status |
HB 405 | Would allow a capital sentence for lewd conduct with a minor under 12 if there are aggravating circumstances. | Introduced by Rep. Josh Tanner (R) and Rep. Bruce Skaug (R) on January 18, 2024. Referred to the Judiciary, Rules & Administration Committee on January 19. |
ILLINOIS (Session dates: 01/11/2023 - 01/05/2025) | ||
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Bill number | Bill Description | Status |
SB2151/SB2145/SB2114/SB1596 | Would reinstate the death penalty. | SB2151 was introduced by Sen. Chaplin Rose (R) and referred to assignments on February 10, 2023. SB2145 was introduced by Sen. Andrew Chesney (R) and referred to assignments on February 10, 2023. SB2114 was introduced by Sen. Neil Anderson (R) and referred to assignments on February 9, 2023. SB1596 was introduced by Sen. Jason Plummer (R) and referred to assignments on February 8, 2023. |
HB3495 | Would reinstate the death penalty for first degree murder of a peace officer. | Introduced by Rep. Dave Severin (R) on February 17, 2023. Assigned to the House Judiciary Committee on February 28. Sent to Criminal Administration and Enforcement Subcommittee on March 7. Re-referred to Rules Committee on March 10. |
HB1493 | Would allow the death penalty for murders committed in or on the grounds of a religious institution, public or private school, community college, college, university, child care facility, or a public place by someone at least 18 years of age. | Introduced by Rep. Ford (D) and referred to Rules Committee on January 31, 2024. |
INDIANA (Session dates: 01/09/2024 - 03/08/2024) | ||
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Bill number | Bill Description | Status |
IOWA (Session dates: 01/09/2023 - 05/22/2024) | ||
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Bill number | Bill Description | Status |
SF14 / SF357 | Would establish the death penalty for murder in first degree offenses involving kidnapping and sexual abuse offenses against the same victim who is a minor. | Introduced by Sen. Brad Zaun (R) and referred to Judiciary on January 9, 2023. On February 21, Committee approves bill and renumbers as SF 357. Referred to Judiciary Committee on June 5. |
KANSAS* (Session dates: 01/09/2023 - 05/21/2024) | ||
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Bill number | Bill Description | Status |
HB2349/SB211 | Would abolish the death penalty, create the crime of aggravated murder with a sentence of life imprisonment without parole | HB2359 was introduced on February 8, 2023 by Rep. Schreiber (R), Rep. Blew, Rep. Amy (D), Rep. Ballard (D), and Rep. Carmichael (D). SB211 was introduced on February 8, 2023 by Sen. McGinn (R), Sen. Bowers (R), Sen. Dietrich (R), Sen. Doll (R), and Sen. Faust-Goudeau (D). |
HB2782 | Would allow the secretary of corrections to use hypoxia as an execution method; and the district court, rather than the supreme court, to issue a death warrant | Dan Burrows on behalf of the Office of the Attorney General requested introduction of the bill. The Committee on Judiciary was introduced on February 8, 2024. A hearing was scheduled on February 15. |
KENTUCKY* (Session dates: 01/02/2024 - 03/30/2024) | ||
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Bill number | Bill Description | Status |
HB 38 | Would abolish the death penalty and replace it with life imprisonment without parole for inmates presently sentenced to death | Introduced on January 2, 2024 by Rep. James Tipton (R), Rep. Daniel Grossberg (D), Rep. Keturah Herron (D), Rep. Jason Nemes (R), and Rep. Nancy Tate (R). |
HB 198 | Would add abuse of a corpse of the victim of kidnapping or murder by engaging in deviate sexual intercourse, sexual intercouse, or sexual contact as an aggravating circumstance. | Introduced on January 9, 2024 by Rep. Samara Heavrin (R). |
LOUISIANA (Session dates: 01/15/2024-01/19/2024, 02/19/2024-03/06/2024, 03/11/2024 - 06/04/2024) | ||
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Bill number | Bill Description | Status |
HB 6 | Would add nitrogen hypoxia and electrocution as alternative execution methods. Would also make records or information relating to the execution confidential. | Prefiled on February 8, 2024 by Rep. Nicholas Muscarello Jr. (R) for the special session starting on February 19. Passed the House 71 to 29 on February 23, 2024. Passed the Senate 24 to 15 on February 29, 2024. |
MISSISSIPPI (Session dates: 01/02/2024 - 05/05/2024) | ||
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Bill number | Bill Description | Status |
MISSOURI* (Session dates: 01/03/2024 - 05/30/2024) | ||
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Bill number | Bill Description | Status |
HB 1780/HB 1846/HB 1882 | Would abolish the death penalty and replace it with a maximum sentence of life without parole | HB 1780 prefiled by Rep. Chad Perkins (R) on December 5, 2023 and introduced on January 3, 2024. HB 1846 prefiled by Rep. Sarah Unsicker (D) on December 7, 2023 and introduced on January 3, 2024. HB 1882 prefiled by Rep. Patty Lewis (D) on December 11, 2023 and introduced on January 3, 2024. |
SB 951 | Would allow the death penalty for for the offenses of statutory rape in the first degree and sexual trafficking of a child in the first degree | Prefiled by Sen. Mike Moon (R) on December 1, 2023 and introduced on January 3, 2024. |
NEBRASKA* (Session dates: 01/04/2023 - 04/18/2024) | ||
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Bill number | Bill Description | Status |
LR 17CA | Proposes a constitutional amendment that would abolish the death penalty and resentence death-row prisoners to life | Introduced on January 11, 2023 by Sen. Terrell McKinney (D). On March 9, notice of hearing for March 16 provided. |
LB 970 | Would add nitrogen hypoxia as a method of execution | Introduced on January 4, 2024 by Sen. Loren Lippincott (R). Hearing scheduled on February 28, 2024. |
LB980 | Would change provision relating to persons present during an execution, including adding two members of the legislature as witnesses. | Introduced on January 5, 2024 by Sen. Terrell McKinney (D). |
NEW JERSEY (Session dates: 01/09/2024 - 01/13/2026) | ||
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Bill number | Bill Description | Status |
A1260 | Would restore the death penalty for certain murders. | Introduced by Assembly Member Alex Sauickie (R) on January 9, 2024 and referred to the Judiciary Committee. |
ACR14/SCR68 | Proposes constitutional amendment to restore the death penalty under certain circumstances. | ACR14 was introduced by Assembly Member Dawn Fantasia (R) and cosponsored by Assembly Member Michael Inganamort (R) on January 9, 2024 and referred to the Judiciary Committee. SCR68 was introduced by Sen. Parker Space (R) on January 9 and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. |
NEW YORK (Session dates: 01/04/2023 - 01/02/2025) | ||
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Bill number | Bill Description | Status |
S01271/A03906 | Relates to commission of murder in the first degree; provides that sentence for commission of certain provisions of murder in the first degree is death or life without parole. | S01271 was introduced by Sen. Robert G. Ortt (R) and referred to codes on January 11, 2023. A03906 was introduced by Assembly Member William Barclay (R) and 9 other Republicans introduced February 8, 2023 and referred to codes on January 3, 2024. |
A00854/S01922 | Requires that all felony offenders shall be eligible for parole after serving no more than twenty-five years of their sentence; eliminates the possibility of serving consecutive terms of imprisonment which exceed a twenty-five year sentence. | A00854 sponsored by Assembly Member Robert Carroll (D), along with 5 other Democrats, and referred to codes on January 11, 2023. S01922 Introduced by Sen. Luis Sepulveda (D) and referred to codes on January 17, 2023 |
A06399 | Provides that the sentence for committing murder in the first degree when the victim is a police officer, peace officer or correction officer shall be either death or life imprisonment without parole. | Sponsored by Assembly Member Alec Brook-Krasny (R) and Lester Chang (R) and introduced on April 6, 2023. Referred to codes again on January 3, 2024. |
A03481 | Provides that sentence for commission of certain provisions of murder in the first degree is death or life without parole. | Sponsored by Assembly Member Joe DeStefano (R) and 9 other Republicans and introduced on February 3, 2023. Referred to codes on January 3, 2024. |
NEW MEXICO (Session dates: 1/16/2024 - 02/15/2024) | ||
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Bill number | Bill Description | Status |
HB 77 | Would reinstate the death penalty. | Sponsored by Rep. John Block (R), Harlan Vincent (R), and Stefani Lord (R) and introduced on January 17, 2024. |
SB 73 | Would reinstate the death penalty for the murder of a police officer. | Introduced by Sen. Craig Brandt (R) on January 17, 2024. |
HB 109 | Would make aggravated criminal sexual penetration and criminal sexual penetration of a child punishable by death. | Sponsored by Rep. Stefani Lord (R), Harlan Vincent (R), and John Block (R) and introduced on January 17, 2024. |
NORTH CAROLINA* (Session dates: 1/11/2023 - 06/30/2024) | ||
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Bill number | Bill Description | Status |
SB 109 | Would repeal the death penalty and resentence those with death sentences to life without parole. | Filed by Sen. Mayfield (D) and Sen. Murdock (D) on February 15, 2023 and referred to rules and operations on February 16. |
OHIO* (Session dates: 01/02/2023 - 12/31/2024) | ||
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Bill number | Bill Description | Status |
SB 101/HB 259 | Would abolish the death penalty | SB 101 was introduced on March 29, 2023 by Sen. Antonio (D) and Sen. Huffman (R), as well as 10 co-sponsors. Referred to Judiciary Committee on April 19. First hearing in the Judiciary Committee on May 9 and second hearing on November 15. HB 259 was introduced on September 12, 2023 by Rep. Schmidt (R) and Rep. Miller (D). Referred to the Finance Committee on September 26, 2023. |
HB 392 | Would add nitrogen hypoxia as a method of execution; prisoners could elect to use the method, but nitrogen hypoxia would be used if lethal injection is unavailable | Introduced by Rep. Brian Stewart (R) and Rep. Phil Plummer (R) on February 1, 2024. Referred to Committee on February 6, 2024. |
OKLAHOMA (Session dates: 02/06/2023 - 05/25/2024) | ||
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Bill number | Bill Description | Status |
HB 3138 | Would establish the Death Penalty Moratorium Act, which would pause executions in the state until further legislative action. Would also establish the Death Penalty Reform Task Force to prepare a report by November 30, 2025 on the progress made since the 2017 Report of the Oklahoma Death Penalty Review Commission. | Introduced by Rep. Humphrey (R) on February 5, 2024. Rep. Humphrey (R) is replaced with Rep. McDugle (R) as primary author on February 26. Passes in the Oklahoma House Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee on February 28. |
OREGON (Session dates: 02/01/2024 - 02/28/2024) | ||
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Bill number | Bill Description | Status |
PENNSYLVANIA* (Session dates: 01/03/2023 - 11/30/2024) | ||
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Bill number | Bill Description | Status |
HB 999 | Would repeal the death penalty. | Introduced by Rep. Chris Rabb (D), HB999 was referred to the Judiciary Committee on April 17, 2023. The Judiciary Committee voted 15-10 in favor of the bill on October 31. |
HB 751 | Would require jurors to unanimously find that aggravating circumstances outweigh mitigating circumstances beyond a reasonable doubt in order for a death sentence to be imposed. | Introduced by Rep. Timothy Bonner (R), HB 751 was referred to the Judiciary Committee on March 28, 2023. The Judiciary Committee unanimously voted in favor of the bill on October 31. |
HB 1470 | Would provide compensation and services to those wrongfully to victims of wrongful conviction and imprisonment in Pennsylvania. | Introduced by Rep. Regina Young (D), HB 1470 was referred to the Judiciary Committee on June 21, 2023. The bill was amended and passed first consideration on October 3, 2023. |
SOUTH CAROLINA* (Session dates: 01/10/2023 - 06/30/2024) | ||
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Bill number | Bill Description | Status |
S 71 | Would abolish the death penalty and all laws related to death-penalty procedure | Prefiled by Sen. Gerald Malloy (D) and referred to Committee on Judiciary, November 30, 2022. Referred to Judiciary Committe on January 10. |
S 120 | Would conceal the identities of members of the execution team, including suppliers of lethal-injection drugs | Prefiled by Sen. Greg Hembree (R) and referred to Committee on Corrections and Penology on November 30, 2022. Introduced in Senate committee on January 10, 2023. On February 2, passed committee and on February 23 passed roll call 39-5. Referred to House on February 28 and passed House roll call 80-22 on April 20. Passed Senate roll call 32-6 on May 4. Signed by Governor on May 12. |
H 4669 | Would allow the death penalty for persons who commit criminal sexual conduct with a victim under eleven years of age and remove the repeat offender requirement; clarifies that both mitigating and aggravating factors apply | Prefiled on December 14, 2023 by Rep. Jordan Pace (R), Rep. Josiah Magnuson (R), Rep. Matthew Leber (R), the bill was introduced on January 9, 2024 and referred to the Judiciary Committee the same day. |
SOUTH DAKOTA* (Session dates: 01/09/2024 - 03/25/2024) | ||
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Bill number | Bill Description | Status |
SB 109 | Would repeal the death penalty | Primarily sponsored by Sen. Reynold Nesiba (D) and co-sponsored by 5 other democrats and 2 republicans. Introduced on January 20, 2024. Passed the Senator Judiciary Committee Hearing on February 1 and deferred for the 41st legislative day. |
HB 1192 | Would allow the death penalty for the rape of a child age twelve and under | Primarily sponsored by Rep. Ben Krohmer (R) and co-sponsored by 6 other republicans and 2 other democrats. Introduced on January 26, 2024. Passed the House (67-0) on February 6. First read in the Senate on February 7. |
TENNESSEE (Session dates: 01/10/2023 - 04/26/2024) | ||
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Bill number | Bill Description | Status |
HB 0289/SB1112 | Would require a sentence of death to be carried out within 30 business days of the conclusion of any appeals or post-conviction relief, if the jury unanimously determines that certain circumstances are met | HB 0289 introduced on January 20, 2023 by Rep. Lowell Russell (R), passed the house on March 13 (74-22), and signed by House speaker on April 28. HB 0289 passed the senate on April 19 (25-7) and signed by Senate speaker on May 3; HB 0289 was signed by the Governor on May 11; goes into effect July 1. SB1112 filed on January 31, 2023 and substituted with companion HB0289 on April 19. |
HB1245/SB1152 | Would provide firing squad as a method of execution. | SB1152 was introduced on February 2 by Sen. Nicely (R); placed on calendar for Finance, Ways and Means Committee for April 20. HB1245 was introduced on February 1 by Rep. Powers (R); taken off calendar for Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee on April 18. |
HB0870/SB0977 | Would make the identities of the entity that compounds, distributes, or manufactures lethal injection drugs or the individuals who carry out the execution public record. | HB0870 was introduced on February 1, 2023 by Rep. Lafferty (R), referred to State Government Committee on February 14, and taken off the calendar on March 8. SB0977 was introduced on February 2, 2023 by Sen. Pody (R), referred to Senate State and Local Government Committee on February 6, and deferred to first calendar of 2024 on March 14. |
HB 1663 / SB 1834 | Would authorize the death penalty as a punishment for rape of a child, aggravated rape of a child, or especially aggravated rape of a child | HB 1663 was introduced on January 8, 2024 by Rep. William Lamberth (R); Criminal Justice Committee recommended for passage on January 30 and referred to Government Operations Committee. Placed behind budget on Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee on February 7. SB 1834 was introduced on January 24, 2024 by Sen. Johnson (R), along with sponsors Sen. Yager (R) and Haile (R); referred to the Judiciary Committee on January 25. |
HB 2585 / SB 2785 | Requires a person sentenced to the punishment of death to file any post-conviction appeal within 180 days of the original sentence and any unsuccessful direct appeal; requires the attorney general and reporter to notify the defendant and the defendant’s attorney when two or more appeals may be filed simultaneously. | HB 2585 was filed for introduction on January 30, 2024 by Rep. Russell (R; assigned to Criminal Justice Subcommittee on February 7. SB 2785 was filed for introduction on January 31, 2024. |
UTAH (Session dates: 01/16/2024 - 03/01/2024) | ||
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Bill number | Bill Description | Status |
SB 109 | Would make information relating to executions confidential. | Introduced on January 18, 2024 by Sen. Derrin Owens (R). Passed the Senate’s third reading 28-0 with 1 abstention and received in the House on February 1. Passed the House’s third reading 69-0 with 6 abstentions on February 14. Signed by the governor on February 16. |
WASHINGTON* (Session dates: 01/09/2023 - 03/08/2024) | ||
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Bill number | Bill Description | Status |
SB 5149 | Would reinstate the death penalty for prisoners who commit murder. The Washington Supreme Court struck down the state’s death penalty in 2018. | Prefiled on January 4, 2023 by Sen. Keith Wagoner (R), Sen. Jim McCune (R), and Sen. Kevin Van de Wege (D), and referred to Law & Justice Committee on January 9, 2023. |
SB 5087 | Would update the constitution to align with the Washington Supreme Court ruling that abolished the state’s death penalty. | Primarily sponsored by Sen. Jamie Pederson. Senate President signed on April 8, 2023. House Speaker signed on April 10. Governor signed on April 21. |
WEST VIRGINIA (Session dates: 01/10/2024 - 03/10/2024) | ||
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Bill number | Bill Description | Status |
HB 4450 | Would reinstate the death penalty | Introduced on January 10, 2024 by Del. Geoff Foster (R) |
SB 473 | Would allow the death penalty for intentionally killing law-enforcement officer or first responder in line of duty | Introduced on January 17, 2024 by Sen. Stuart (R) and 7 other republicans. |
VIRGINIA (Session dates: 01/10/2024 - 03/10/2024 est.) | ||
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Bill number | Bill Description | Status |
HB 394 | Would reinstate the death penalty | Prefiled on January 8, 2024 by Del. Timothy Griffin (R). On January 17, Criminal Subcommittee recommends laying on the table. |
WYOMING (Session dates: 02/12/2024 - 03/08/2024) | ||
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Bill number | Bill Description | Status |
U.S. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT (Session dates: 01/03/2023 - 10/30/2024) | ||
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Bill number | Bill Description | Status |
News & Developments
News
Feb 05, 2021
Virginia Legislature Votes to Abolish the Death Penalty
With two historic votes, the Virginia General Assembly has moved the commonwealth to the cusp of becoming the first Southern state to abolish capital punishment, approving separate bills that would end the state’s death penalty and resentence the two men on death row to life without parole. On February 3, 2021, the Virginia State Senate voted along party lines, 21 – 17, in favor of abolishing capital punishment. Two days later, three Republicans joined all but one Democrat in the Virginia House of Delegates in a 57 – 41 vote to repeal the death…
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Mar 05, 2024
Oklahoma Execution Moratorium Bill Unanimously Passes Committee and Makes Its Way to the State-House Floor
On February 28, 2023, the Oklahoma House Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee unanimously passed a bill that would pause all pending executions and prohibit new death sentences while an independent task force reviews current Oklahoma death penalty procedures. House Bill 3138, also known as the Death Penalty Moratorium Act, was introduced by Republican Representative Kevin McDugle and would create a five-member Death Penalty Reform Task Force to “study and report on the progress of implementing reforms to the use of the death penalty in this state.” The task force would…
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Feb 02, 2024
Ohio Officials Divided on Death Penalty as Attorney General Pushes New Bill to Legalize Nitrogen Hypoxia for Executions
On Tuesday, January 30, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced new legislation to authorize the use of nitrogen gas in executions in the state. Joined by several Republican state representatives and Louis Tobin of the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association, AG Yost said that he is seeking to “kickstart” Ohio’s death penalty after a six-year pause in executions due to difficulties obtaining lethal injection drugs. “The status quo is unacceptable,” he said. According to the text of the proposed bill, H.B. 392, a prisoner could elect lethal injection or nitrogen hypoxia…
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Jan 12, 2024
State Legislative Roundup: New Legislation on the Death Penalty
The first month of 2024 marks the start of new legislative sessions for many states and a number of new proposals pertaining to the death penalty.
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Dec 13, 2023
After Five-Year Execution Pause, Ohio Leaders Question Value of Death Penalty
A proposed death penalty repeal bill in the Ohio legislature is drawing attention to the state’s five-year pause on executions, and leading state officials from both parties to question whether the death penalty system is working. Ohio Attorney General David Yost (pictured) summed up the situation by saying, “This system satisfies nobody. Those who oppose the death penalty want it abolished altogether, not ticking away like a time bomb that might or might not explode. Those who support the death penalty want it to be fair, timely and effective. Neither…
Read MoreNews
Nov 17, 2023
Victims’ Families, Retired Judge, and Former Correctional Director Publicly Express Support for Ohio Abolition Bill
Victims’ families, retired Judge James Brogan, and former Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Director Gary Mohr have publicly expressed support for legislation pending in both the state Senate and House that would abolish the death penalty in Ohio.
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Nov 07, 2023
Pennsylvania House Committee Passes Death Penalty Repeal Bill
A bill to repeal the death penalty in Pennsylvania has passed a committee in the commonwealth’s House of Representatives. The Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee voted 15 – 10 in favor of HB 999 on October 31, 2023. That vote is the first step toward abolishing the death penalty in Pennsylvania, which has had a formal moratorium on executions since 2015 and has not executed anyone since 1999.
Read MoreNews
Nov 02, 2023
Under Recent State Legislation, Courts in Ohio and Kentucky Rule Four Men Ineligible for Execution Due to Serious Mental Illness
Though the Supreme Court has ruled that the Constitution forbids the death penalty for a person who is “insane” at the time of execution, it has never held that the execution of people with serious mental illness is unconstitutional. Experts have found that two in five people executed between 2000 and 2015 had a mental illness diagnosis such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or PTSD. Since 2017, at least eleven states have attempted to strengthen protections for vulnerable prisoners by introducing bills barring the execution of those with serious mental illness…
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Sep 12, 2023
Ohio General Assembly Resumes Bipartisan Efforts to Abolish the Death Penalty
On September 6, 2023, a bipartisan group of Ohio state representatives reintroduced a bill that would abolish the death penalty and replace the punishment with life in prison without parole. Legislators in Ohio have debated the use of capital punishment for nearly a decade, but this renewed effort comes after state senators introduced Senate Bill 101 earlier in the year, which would also abolish the use of capital punishment. Among the primary sponsors of these bills is Representative Jean Schmidt (R‑Loveland). Representative Schmidt cited her pro-life values in her support…
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Jul 20, 2023
Judge Rules Tennessee Statute Which Expands Attorney General Authority in Death Penalty Cases is Unconstitutional
On July 17, 2023, a Shelby County Criminal Court judge struck down a new statute, passed by the Tennessee Legislature in April 2023, to expand authority of the appointed state attorney general in death penalty cases. Judge Paula Skahan ruled that the law unconstitutionally removes the power of the locally elected district attorney. Some attorneys and lawmakers who disagreed with the new statute earlier expressed concerns that the new law targeted progressive district attorneys who were reluctant to pursue the death penalty.
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Jun 05, 2023
Black-Led Organizations Oppose New Death Penalty Legislation, Citing Disproportionate Effect on Communities of Color
Black-led organizations are opposing legislative efforts in several states to reintroduce or expand use of the death penalty. Lawmakers in Illinois and New Jersey have introduced legislation to reinstate the death penalty, while other legislators in Tennessee and Florida have proposed bills which would increase its use. Tennessee Senate Bill 1112 would require an execution to be carried out within 30 days of sentencing. Governor DeSantis recently signed legislation that nullified jury unanimity by requiring only eight jurors to recommend a death sentence, and Senate Bill 1342 would prevent a Florida judge…
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