SB 145 amends Code Section 16-5-1, relating to murder by adding, imprisonment for life without parole, as an option for punishment of a murder conviction. The bill further amends Code Section 17-10-6.1, relating to punishment for serious violent offenders, by not allowing eligibility for any form of parole or early release for a first conviction of a serious violent felony in which the defendant has been sentenced to imprisonment for life without parole 

The bill adds that where a statutory aggravating circumstance is not found or where a statutory circumstance is found but a recommendation of death is not made, the jury shall decide whether to recommend a sentence of life imprisonment without parole or life imprisonment with the possibility of parole. If the jury is unable to reach a unanimous verdict as to sentence, the judge shall dismiss the jury and shall impose a sentence of either life imprisonment or imprisonment for life without parole.