---
title: 'Recent Legislative Activity on the Death Penalty'
description: 'Many states are considering bills to abolish, reform, or expand the death penalty during current legislative sessions. Some recent developments include…'
canonical: 'https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/recent-legislative-activity-on-the-death-penalty'
section: news
date: '2009-03-17T20:15:16-04:00'
updated: '2025-03-14T14:26:11-04:00'
source: 'Death Penalty Information Center'
---

Many states are considering bills to abolish, reform, or expand the death penalty during current legislative sessions. Some recent developments include:  **New Mexico**’s bill to abolish the death penalty passed the House and Senate and is awaiting Gov. Richardson's decision and signature, likely to come on March 18. In **Colorado**, a bill to abolish the death penalty and use the resources to pursue cold cases passed the House Judiciary Committee 7-4. In **Kansas**, the bill to abolish the death penalty passed the Senate Judiciary Committee 6-5, but the Senate voted to return the bill for further study. In **Maryland**, the bill to abolish the death penalty went to the full Senate where an amendment was passed to keep the death penalty but to require a higher standard of proof for guilt in capital cases. That amended bill is being considered by the House on March 17. **Montana**’s bill to abolish the death penalty passed the Senate Judiciary Committee, passed the Senate 27-23, and faces a House Judiciary Committee hearing March 25. A bill in **Utah** to allow the legislature to restrict death penalty appeals failed in the House. More details on these bills and other legislative activity regarding the death penalty may be found on DPIC's [**Recent Legislative Activity**](/recent-legislative-activity#2009) page.

(DPIC, posted Mar. 17, 2009).