Alabama Advances Bill Extending Death Penalty to Child Rapists

The proposed legislation will now advance to the Alabama Senate.

Alabama's lethal injection chamber at Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore on Oct. 7, 2002. Dave Martin/AP Photo

Alabama’s House of Representatives passed a bill on Tuesday that would allow death sentences for child rapists.

HB49, sponsored by Republican state Rep. Matt Simpson, calls for the death penalty for adults who are convicted of rape or sodomy in the first degree against a child under the age of 12.