Gov. Kay Ivey signs Child Predator Death Penalty Act into law

Gov. Key Ivey signs the Child Predator Death Penalty Act into law, Thursday, February 12, 2026 – Photo from the Office of Gov. Kay Ivey

Gov. Kay Ivey has signed the Child Predator Death Penalty Act. One of the governor’s top priorities this legislative session, the new law provides the strongest legal protection for Alabama’s children from child predators.

“For too long, the most vulnerable of our society have lacked the most stringent legal protection from child predators,” Gov. Ivey said. “Through the Child Predator Death Penalty Act, Alabama now joins just a handful of states imposing the toughest penalty possible for child predators. Those who target the youngest among us for the vilest crimes will soon be met with the harshest punishment under the law.”

The Child Predator Death Penalty Act strengthens Alabama’s criminal penalties against those who are convicted of felony sexual crimes against a child. Crimes of 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.

The governor said the need for stronger punishment of child predators in Alabama was shown last year after eight people were arrested and charged with 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.

The Child Predator Death Penalty Act becomes effective on October 1, 2026.