Alabama House panel passes bill to mandate that some teens are prosecuted as adults in murder cases

by Ralph Chapoco, Alabama Reflector
February 26, 2025

An Alabama House committee Wednesday approved legislation that requires the court to prosecute people age 16 and older as adults when they are charged with murder.

The House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee approved HB 146 — sponsored by Rep. Phillip Pettus, R-Killen — which would prohibit a judge from granting youthful offender status to minors who are at least 16-years-old at the time of the offense if they are charged with murder. The current statute states that individuals who are younger than 19 may be tried as youthful offenders.

“If they are charged with murder, under this bill they would not be eligible to be a youthful offender,” Pettus told members of the committee during the meeting. “This only has to do if they are charged. They have to be charged with murder for this to kick in.”

Pettus said his legislation leaves the court process largely untouched. Defendants would still proceed through a trial if they choose.

Democrats on the committee were united against the legislation and voted against it.

Some raised concerns with separation of powers, because typically, the judge has the discretion to determine eligibility for youthful offender status.

“Now we are making it where we are taking it all out of the judge’s hand about making the decision,” said Rep. Tashina Morris, D-Montgomery.

Rep. Thomas Jackson, D-Thomasville had the same concerns.

“You are really talking about the judicial branch, what they can and cannot do,” he said. “You are legislating this.”

The legislation shifts the decision away from the judge to prosecutors who determine charges.

Some lawmakers asked how the bill would affect those who became entangled in the actions of another person.

“One person murdered someone, but there were four people in the car,” said Rep. Jeremy Gray, D-Opelika. “Usually when that happens, they all get charged with murder, right? I have seen it plenty of times.”

Alabama Reflector is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alabama Reflector maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Brian Lyman for questions: info@alabamareflector.com.

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SUMMARY: Pharmacists across Alabama staged walkouts today to support legislation aimed at helping small pharmacies survive amid financial struggles. Over 100 pharmacists participated, closing their doors for two hours to highlight the threat of permanent closures. They expressed concerns about inadequate reimbursements from Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), which dictate insurance coverage and pricing for medications. For instance, a pharmacist reported receiving just 15 cents for filling a life-saving prescription, far below the cost of the medication. Supporters are urging the public to contact elected officials for reforms in Senate Bills 93 and 99 to ensure fair reimbursement and pricing for local pharmacies.

Pharmacists across Alabama locked their doors and turned out the lights Tuesday afternoon to mourn the loss of what it would look like to lose local pharmacies forever.
FULL STORY: https://trib.al/W5FtN1I

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Bill to create nontraditional high school diploma program passes House

by Anna Barrett, Alabama Reflector
February 25, 2025

A bill that would create a nontraditional high school diploma program for people who have dropped out passed the Alabama House unanimously on Tuesday.

HB 266, sponsored by Rep. Matt Woods, R-Jasper, allows former students to enroll in a program to earn the equivalent of a high school diploma at 18 years old. Woods said the Restoring Educational Advancement of Completing High School Act expands the options for people who’ve dropped out to get back on track with their education.

“This bill addresses a segment of our population that’s falling between the cracks,” Woods said. “We believe that we can help them pursue their educational pathway.”

There is a nontraditional diploma option for adult education, but Woods said the minimum age is 19. He said his bill lowers the age to 18.

“The idea behind that is that a student who drops out of high school won’t have to wait as long before they can finish their high school diploma,” Woods said.

Although supportive of the bill, Rep. Laura Hall, D-Huntsville, said she wants to look into preventing high school withdrawals. 

“At some point we’ve got to challenge those things that cause these young people to be at the point where they are dropping out of school,” Hall said.

Rep. Van Smith, R-Clanton, offered an amendment to allow students to enroll in the REACH program before they withdraw to expand their options.

“It will put in an opportunity for students to enroll in this program that Rep. Woods is presenting to us,” Smith said. “Then that individual will not be counted as a dropout.”

The amendment passed 103-0. The bill goes to the Alabama Senate.

Alabama Reflector is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alabama Reflector maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Brian Lyman for questions: info@alabamareflector.com.

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