Aniah’s Law passed through the Alabama House of Representatives on Tuesday with a unanimous vote of 101-0 (per WBRC). The bill, named for Aniah Blanchard—the late stepdaughter of UFC heavyweight Walt Harris, will now head to the Alabama Senate. If Senators approve the bill it will become State Law.
If passed, the law would give judges more power to deny bail for people charged with serious crimes. Alabama’s constitution currently states that judges can only deny bail for people charged with capital murder.
Aniah’s Law would make an amendment to the constitution and add first-degree assault, rape, first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary and aggravated child abuse as crimes for which a judge can deny bail.