HB208 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Patricia Todd

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Crime Victims' Compensation Commission, emergency award to domestic violence victims, authorized, Secs. 15-23-24, 15-23-25 added

Summary

HB208 would authorize an emergency award to domestic violence victims through the Alabama Crime Victims' Compensation Commission and set guidelines for compensation.

What This Bill Does

The bill allows the Commission to create and pay an emergency award to domestic violence victims who meet specific eligibility criteria. Eligibility includes not living with the offender, recent shelter residence or services, reporting the incident to law enforcement within 72 hours unless there is good cause, and cooperation with shelter personnel and law enforcement; it also prohibits awarding where the victim contributed to the incident or certain other disqualifying conditions apply. It also outlines eligible and ineligible expenses and requires the Commission to establish guidelines to prevent the award from unjustly benefiting the offender.

Who It Affects

• Domestic violence victims who meet the eligibility criteria and may receive emergency awards and related compensation.
• Domestic violence shelters and shelter programs, which must meet standards and assist in the application process.
• The Alabama Crime Victims' Compensation Commission, which gains authority to administer emergency awards and set compensation guidelines.

Key Provisions

• Adds sections 15-23-24 and 15-23-25 to authorize emergency awards to domestic violence victims and to provide criteria and guidelines for compensation.
• Emergency award criteria: the victim must not reside with the offender, must have recent shelter residence or services meeting standards, must report to law enforcement within 72 hours unless good cause, must file required documentation, and must cooperate with shelter personnel, the Commission, and law enforcement; certain disqualifying factors apply (e.g., victim contributed to the incident, probation/parole status, or post-application felony conviction). The award must not unjustly benefit the offender.
• Eligible expenses under emergency compensation include: emergency needs (hotel/motel, housing deposit, rent, utilities, storage, food), daily living needs (prescription eyewear, moving expenses, replacement documents, day care), and certain damaged or left-behind property (like school books, clothing) with documentation and applicable schedules.
• Non-eligible expenses include victim or offender wages, outstanding bills, extra utility/phone fees due to outstanding bills, school activity fees, physician/hospital fees, and costs not supported by valid documentation.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after its passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crime Victims Compensation Commission