The Death Penalty in the OSCE Area Governor will make a case-by-case decision as to their sentences.90 A bill to impose a three-year moratorium on death sentences and executions was introduced in the State of Alabama. On 5 February 2013, the bill was referred for consideration to the Senate Committee on Judiciary.91 Currently, 17 states are considering death penalty repeal bills, including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oregon, Texas and Washington.92 Bills to reinstate the death penalty are currently being considered in Iowa, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Washington.93 Texas, Kansas and Georgia are taking steps to expand the scope of crimes that could carry the death penalty.94 During the reporting period, a number of states passed bills expanding the scope of death penalty eligible offences. The Senate of the State of Alabama passed a bill that provides for the death penalty in cases where a protective order was issued to a murder victim against a defendant.95 The State of Florida passed a bill making the use of the death penalty possible if a murder victim was a juvenile. The State of Mississippi passed a bill adding terrorist acts as an aggravating factor in potential capital cases.96 Legal Framework In the United States of America, the death penalty is retained in the statutes of 32 states. The Federal Government, including the military justice system, also allows this form of punishment. The death penalty is excluded in the jurisdictions of Alaska, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In New Mexico, Connecticut and Maryland, repeals are not retroactive and, therefore, death row inmates still remain in these states.97 90  “Statement from Governor Martin O’Malley on Passage of Death Penalty Repeal in Maryland”, the Office of Governor Martin O’Malley, 15 March 2013, <http://www.governor.maryland.gov/blog/?p=8492>. 91  Alabama Senate Bill 33, LegiScan, 5 February 2013, <http://legiscan.com/AL/text/SB33/2013>. 92  States considering death penalty repeal bills, Death Penalty Information Center, 2013, <http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/recent-legislative-activity>. 93  Ibid. 94  Ibid. 95  Ibid. See also Alabama Legislative Information System Online, follow: Bills – By Sponsor – Senator Scofield, <http:// alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/acas/ACASLoginie.asp>. 96  States considering death penalty repeal bills, op.cit., note 92. 97  “States with and without the death penalty”, Death Penalty Information Center, 2013, <http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/states-and-without-death-penalty>. 24