Data

Recent Legislative Activity

State legislatures and U.S. Congress frequently consider bills addressing death-penalty issues, including legislation to repeal capital punishment, reform it, or expand it.

Below are impor­tant pieces of death penal­ty leg­is­la­tion that have recent­ly passed or are cur­rent­ly being con­sid­ered. (DPI wel­comes addi­tions and sug­ges­tions via email.)

Session dates via StateScape.
State names link to state legislative homepage.

Open Sessions


Arizona

Regular: January 13, 2025 — April 26, 2025

Arkansas

Regular: January 13, 2025 — April 11, 2025

California

Regular: December 2, 2024 — November 30, 2026

California

Special: December 2, 2024 — January 31, 2025

Colorado

Regular: January 8, 2025 — May 7, 2025

Connecticut

Regular: January 8, 2025 — June 4, 2025

Number(s) Description Events Type Status

Would provide that certain persons who are licensed, registered or doing business in this state shall not manufacture, compound, sell, test, distribute, dispense or supply any drug or medical device for the purpose of executing the death penalty.

  • Introduced January 10, 2025. Cosponsors: Saud Anwar (D) , Ceci Maher (D) , Josh Elliott (D) .
Other Pending

Would restore the death penalty.

  • Introduced January 9, 2025. Sponsored by: Rob Sampson (R).
Reinstatement Bill Pending

Delaware

Regular: January 14, 2025 — June 30, 2026

Number(s) Description Events Type Status

The first leg of a constitutional amendment to prohibit the imposition of the death penalty. 

  • Introduced December 19, 2024. Sponsored by: Sean Lynn (D).
Abolition Bill Pending

Georgia

Regular: January 13, 2025 — April 2, 2026

Idaho

Regular: January 6, 2025 — April 10, 2025

Illinois

Regular: January 8, 2025 — April 29, 2025

Indiana

Regular: January 8, 2025 — April 29, 2025

Number(s) Description Events Type Status
  • HB 1030 (1/8/2025)

Would abolish the death penalty and commute the death sentences of current prisoners to life without parole. Would also allow defendants in cases where the state is seeking life without parole to file a petition alleging intellectual disability; in instances where the defendant is found to have an intellectual disability, then the court would not be able to impose a sentence of life without parole.

  • Introduced January 8, 2025. Sponsored by: Robert Morris (R). Cosponsors: Chris Judy (R) , Jake Teshka (R) .
Retroactive Abolition Bill Pending

Iowa

Regular: January 13, 2025 — May 30, 2026

Kansas

Regular: January 13, 2025 — May 5, 2026

Kentucky

Regular: January 7, 2025 — March 28, 2025

Maine

Regular: December 4, 2024 — May 8, 2026

Maryland

Regular: January 8, 2025 — April 7, 2025

Massachusetts

Regular: January 1, 2025 — January 1, 2027

Michigan

Regular: January 8, 2025 — December 31, 2026

Minnesota

Regular: January 14, 2025 — May 18, 2026

Mississippi

Regular: January 7, 2025 — April 6, 2025

Missouri

Regular: January 8, 2025 — May 30, 2025

Montana

Regular: January 6, 2025 — May 9, 2025

Nebraska

Regular: January 8, 2025 — May 29, 2026

New Hampshire

Regular: January 8, 2025 — June 30, 2025

New Jersey

Regular: January 9, 2024 — January 13, 2026

New York

Regular: January 8, 2025 — January 1, 2027

North Carolina

Regular: January 8, 2025 — July 31, 2026

North Dakota

Regular: January 7, 2025 — May 2, 2025

Ohio

Regular: January 6, 2025 — December 31, 2026

Pennsylvania

Regular: January 7, 2025 — November 30, 2026

Rhode Island

Regular: January 7, 2025 — June 30, 2025

South Carolina

Regular: January 14, 2025 — June 30, 2026

South Dakota

Regular: January 14, 2025 — March 31, 2025

Tennessee

Regular: January 14, 2025 — April 24, 2026

Texas

Regular: January 14, 2025 — June 2, 2025

US Federal Government

Regular: January 3, 2025 — October 30, 2026

Vermont

Regular: January 8, 2025 — May 8, 2026

Virginia

Regular: January 8, 2025 — February 22, 2025

Washington

Regular: January 13, 2025 — April 26, 2026

Wisconsin

Regular: January 6, 2025 — December 31, 2026

Wyoming

Regular: January 14, 2025 — March 7, 2025

Upcoming Sessions


Alabama

Regular: February 4, 2025 — May 15, 2025

Number(s) Description Events Type Status

Would require any person age 18 or older convicted of rape in the first degree or sodomy in the first degree of a victim less than age six to be sentenced to death or life without parole. If the person convicted is less than age 18 then they would be sentenced to either life without parole or life. 

  • Introduced February 4, 2025. Sponsored by: Matt Simpson (R).
Expands Death Eligibility Pending

Alaska

Regular: January 21, 2025 — May 20, 2026

Delaware

Regular: January 14, 2025 — June 30, 2026

Number(s) Description Events Type Status

The first leg of a constitutional amendment to prohibit the imposition of the death penalty. 

  • Introduced December 19, 2024. Sponsored by: Sean Lynn (D).
Abolition Bill Pending

Florida

Regular: March 4, 2025 — May 2, 2025

Hawaii

Regular: January 15, 2025 — May 1, 2026

Louisiana

Regular: April 14, 2025 — June 12, 2025

Minnesota

Regular: January 14, 2025 — May 18, 2026

Nevada

Regular: February 3, 2025 — June 2, 2025

New Mexico

Regular: January 21, 2025 — March 22, 2025

Oklahoma

Regular: February 3, 2025 — May 30, 2026

Oregon

Regular: January 21, 2025 — June 30, 2025

South Carolina

Regular: January 14, 2025 — June 30, 2026

South Dakota

Regular: January 14, 2025 — March 31, 2025

Tennessee

Regular: January 14, 2025 — April 24, 2026

Texas

Regular: January 14, 2025 — June 2, 2025

Utah

Regular: January 21, 2025 — March 7, 2025

West Virginia

Regular: February 12, 2025 — April 12, 2025

Wyoming

Regular: January 14, 2025 — March 7, 2025

Sessions Closed This Year


Illinois

Regular: January 11, 2023 — January 5, 2025

Number(s) Description Events Type Status

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 January 26, 2024. Sponsored by: La Shawn Ford (D).
  • Referred to House Rules Committee on January 31, 2024.
Reinstatement Bill Session Closed Without Passage

Would reinstate the death penalty.

  • SB2151 Introduced February 10, 2023. Chaplin Rose (R)
  • SB2145 introduced February 9, 2023. Sen. Andrew Chesney (R)
  • SB2114 introduced February 9, 2023. Sen. Neil Anderson (R)
  • SB1596 introduced February 8, 2023. Sen. Jason Plummer (R)
Reinstatement Bill Session Closed Without Passage

Would reinstate the death penalty for first degree murder of a peace officer.

  • Introduced February 17, 2023. Sponsored by: Dave Severin (R).
  • Referred to House Criminal Administration and Enforcement Subcommittee on March 7, 2023.
  • Referred to House Rules Committee on March 10, 2023.
  • Referred to House Judiciary Committee on February 28, 2024.
  • Referred to House Rules Committee on April 5, 2024. re-referred
Reinstatement Bill Session Closed Without Passage

Would reinstate the death penalty and related procedures for the killing of a police officer in the course of official duties.

  • Introduced May 19, 2023. Sponsored by: Mike Porfirio (D).
  • Referred to Senate Assignments Committee on May 19, 2023.
Reinstatement Bill Session Closed Without Passage

Would reinstate the death penalty for the killing of a person in or on the grounds of a religious institution, public or private school, community college, college, university, child care facility, or a public place. Reestablishes related capital procedures.

  • Introduced January 26, 2023. Sponsored by: La Shawn K. Ford (D).
  • Referred to Senate Rules Committee on January 31, 2023.
Reinstatement Bill Session Closed Without Passage

Would reinstate the death penalty as punishment for the murder of a peace officer or correction facility employee killed while performing their duties and reestablishes capital punishment processes.

  • Introduced February 9, 2024. Sponsored by: Jason Plummer (R).
  • Referred to Senate Assignments on February 9, 2024.
Reinstatement Bill Session Closed Without Passage

Updates existing criminal codes to remove mentions related to capital punishment.

  • Introduced February 17, 2023. Sponsored by: Will Guzzardi (D).
  • Referred to House Judiciary Committee on February 28, 2023.
  • Passed House on March 24, 2023. 66 votes for, 36 votes against.
  • Introduced March 27, 2023. Senator Rachel Ventura (D) and Senator Willie Preston (D)
  • Passed Senate on May 4, 2023. 37 votes for, 19 votes against.
  • Signed by JB Pritzker (D) on June 9, 2023.
  • Final passage June 9, 2023. Became effective on January 1, 2024.
Other Enacted

Would establish the Capital Crimes Litigation Act of 2024, which would reinstate the death penalty for first-degree murder of a peace officer, firefighter, emergency medical personnel, or correctional facility employee killed while performing official duties and accordingly establish legal processes for capital representation and appeals.

  • Introduced February 6, 2024. Sponsored by: Neil Anderson (R).
  • Referred to Senate Committee on Assignments on February 6, 2024.
Reinstatement Bill Session Closed Without Passage

Would eliminate a provision abolishing the death penalty, modify aggravating factors, and transfer remaining funds from the Death Penalty Abolition Fund to reestablish a Capital Litigation Trust Fund.

  • Introduced January 3, 2024. Sponsored by: John Cabello (R).
  • Referred to House Rules Committee on January 16, 2024.
Reinstatement Bill Session Closed Without Passage

New York

Regular: January 4, 2024 — January 2, 2025

Number(s) Description Events Type Status

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 Introduced January 11, 2023. Sponsored by: Robert Carroll (D).
  • S01922 introduced January 17, 2023. Sponsored by: Luis Sepulveda (D).
  • A00854 Referred to Codes on January 3, 2024.
Modifies Sentencing Process Session Closed Without Passage

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 Introduced January 11, 2023. Sponsored by: Robert G. Ortt (R).
  • A03906 introduced February 8, 2023.
  • S01271 Referred to Codes on January 3, 2024.
Reinstatement Bill Session Closed Without Passage

Provides that sentence for commission of certain provisions of murder in the first degree is death or life without parole. 

  • Introduced February 3, 2023. Sponsored by: Joe DeStefano (R).
  • Referred to House Codes on January 3, 2024.
Reinstatement Bill Session Closed Without Passage

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

  • Introduced April 6, 2023. Sponsored by: Alec Brook-Krasny (R). Cosponsors: Lester Chang (R) .
  • Referred to House Codes on April 6, 2023. Held for consideration in codes on May 23, 2023.
  • Referred to House Codes. on January 3, 2024.
Reinstatement Bill Session Closed Without Passage

Relates to consideration of the death penalty for the commission of certain provisions of murder in the first degree. 

  • A02193 Introduced January 23, 2023. Sponsored by: Marianne Buttenschon (D).
  • S01830 introduced January 17, 2023. Sponsored by: Joseph Griffo (R).
  • A02193 Referred to House Codes on January 23, 2023.
Reinstatement Bill Session Closed Without Passage

Ends the imposition of a sentence of life without parole and the death penalty.

  • A02111 Introduced January 23, 2023. Sponsored by: Robert Carroll (D).
  • S04908 introduced February 17, 2023. Sen. Luis R. Sepúlveda (D) and Julia Salazar (D)
  • A02111 Referred to House Codes on January 23, 2023.
  • A02111 Referred to House Codes again on January 3, 2024.
Abolition Bill Session Closed Without Passage

News & Developments


News

Oct 07, 2024

Delaware Officially Removes Death Penalty from State Statutes Eight Years After State Supreme Court Finds It Unconstitutional

On September 26, 2024, Governor John Carney (D) signed House Bill 70, which offi­cial­ly repeals the death penal­ty from the state’s law. Although Delaware’s Supreme Court found its death penal­ty statute to be uncon­sti­tu­tion­al in 2016, inval­i­dat­ing it for future use and effec­tive­ly abol­ish­ing cap­i­tal pun­ish­ment, the pas­sage of HB 70 amends Title 11 of the state’s code to remove the death penal­ty and replace it with life with­out parole as the most severe pun­ish­ment for first-degree murder for…

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News

May 17, 2024

Tennessee Authorizes Death Penalty for Child Sexual Assault in Direct Challenge to Supreme Court Precedent

On May 9, Governor Bill Lee of Tennessee signed a bill autho­riz­ing the death penal­ty for aggra­vat­ed rape of a child, fol­low­ing Florida’s pas­sage of a sim­i­lar law last year. Both laws con­tra­dict long­stand­ing Supreme Court prece­dent hold­ing the death penal­ty uncon­sti­tu­tion­al for non-homi­cide crimes. Tennessee’s law takes effect on July 1. The state has had a death penal­ty mora­to­ri­um in place since May 2022 after Governor Lee learned that state offi­cials had failed to test exe­cu­tion drugs for…

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News

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…

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News

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…

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