The bill, known as the Daryl and Jeanna Speegle and Maggie and Christie Lowe Act, seeks to amend Sections 13A-6-2 and 13A-6-3 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to include new circumstances under which a person can be charged with murder or manslaughter if they commit the crime of driving under the influence (DUI). Specifically, the bill adds a new provision stating that a person commits the crime of murder if they operate a motor vehicle in violation of Section 32-5A-191, cause the death of another person, have one or more prior DUI convictions, and have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.15 percent or more. Additionally, the bill amends the manslaughter statute to include causing death while operating a vehicle or vessel under the influence, as per Section 32-5A-191 or 32-5A-191.3.

The bill also makes technical corrections to the existing legal language, such as changing "which" to "that" and removing redundant phrases like "of this section." It clarifies that the new provisions do not apply to licensed medical professionals in the practice of their profession. The bill acknowledges that it may require new or increased local expenditures but is excluded from further requirements under Section 111.05 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022 because it defines a new crime or amends an existing one. The act is set to become effective on October 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 13A-6-2
Engrossed: 13A-6-3, 13A-6-2