Alabama’s Governor Kay Ivey is in her last year of office and announcing her support for the Child Predator Death Penalty Act, as legislators head into a new session.

The Child Predator Death Penalty Act, which is sponsored by Representative Matt Simpson and Senator April Weaver, is meant to toughen Alabama’s criminal penalties for those who are convicted of felony sexual crimes against a child. Those crimes include first-degree rape, first-degree sodomy, and first-degree sexual assault of victims under the age of 12 would automatically become capital offenses punishable by death.

Ivey said there is no higher priority in the state than protecting Alabama’s children

“The passage of the Child Predator Death Penalty Act will provide the strongest legal shield possible for the most vulnerable of our society, our children,” Ivey said. “Their precious lives, and Alabama’s future, depend upon their preservation and we must not let them down. I call on lawmakers to pass this urgently needed legislation as soon as possible so I can sign it into law.”

The new legislation “makes clear that heinous crimes against children will be met with the strongest penalties allowed under the law,” Simpson said.

The necessity of increased legal protections for Alabama children was brought to light last year after eight persons were arrested and charged with the rape, trafficking and sexual torture of at least 10 children held captive in Bibb County. Some of the victims were as young as three years old.

“Our duty as a society should be to protect those who cannot protect themselves,” said Senator April Weaver. “The Child Predator Death Penalty Act should serve as an effective deterrent, keeping children safe from the unthinkable acts of child predators. I want to thank Governor Ivey for her strong support for this much-needed legislation.”

If passed by both houses and signed by the governor, the Child Predator Death Penalty Act would become effective October 1, 2026.