The bill, known as the Daryl and Jeanna Speegle and Maggie and Christie Lowe Act, amends Sections 13A-6-2 and 13A-6-3 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to establish new criteria for the crimes of murder and manslaughter in relation to driving under the influence (DUI). Specifically, it introduces new legal language stating that a person commits murder if they operate a motor vehicle while under the influence, have prior DUI convictions, and have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.15% or higher, resulting in the death of another person. Additionally, the bill adds a provision that defines manslaughter as causing the death of another person while operating a vehicle or vessel under similar DUI violations.

The bill also includes several deletions and insertions to clarify existing definitions and legal language. For instance, it replaces "which" with "that" in the context of reckless conduct and removes certain phrases to streamline the text. Furthermore, it specifies that manslaughter is classified as a Class B felony, while murder remains a Class A felony with severe penalties, including life imprisonment or the death penalty for aggravated circumstances. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2024, and is exempt from additional funding requirements under Alabama's Constitution due to its nature of defining new crimes.

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