HB252 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mac McCutcheon

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Jim PattersonAllen FarleyVictor GastonBarbara Bigsby BoydMac ButtramApril WeaverLynn GreerMike BallJack WilliamsMike HillHoward Sanderford

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Domestic violence, shelters, domestic violence defined, operation and funding of domestic violence shelters, fee for divorce petition distributed to district attorneys for funding of domestic violence shelters, Secs. 30-6-1, 30-6-6, 30-6-7, 30-6-11 am'd.

Summary

HB252 would redefine abuse to domestic violence, remove the shelter funding cap, raise the retention amount for shelters, and create a new $50 divorce petition fee to fund domestic violence shelters with funds distributed to districts and shelters.

What This Bill Does

It redefines abuse to match domestic violence definitions, removes the existing $250,000 annual funding cap for shelters, and increases the minimum amount the Office of Prosecution Services can retain for shelter funding to $135,000 (or 60% of funds, whichever is greater). It adds a $50 fee for each divorce petition filed, with the money going to district attorneys and then to the Office of Prosecution Services for distribution to shelters according to a statewide formula. It also sets up new definitions, minimum services, certification rules for shelters, and rules for how funds are distributed and how unspent money is handled.

Who It Affects

• Domestic violence shelters and the victims they serve would receive more flexible funding, clarified definitions of domestic violence, and mandated minimum services.
• District attorneys, circuit clerks, probate judges, and the Office of Prosecution Services would manage new funding flows, collect and forward the new divorce petition fee, and oversee distribution to shelters.

Key Provisions

• Defines ABUSE as domestic violence as defined in sections 30-5-2(a)(1) and 15-10-3, replacing the prior term and definitions.
• Eliminates the $250,000 annual funding cap for domestic violence shelters.
• Raises the maximum amount the Office of Prosecution Services must retain to fund implementation of this chapter to $135,000 (or 60% of funds, whichever is greater).
• Imposes an additional $50 fee for each divorce petition filed, with the funds designated for domestic violence shelters and distributed under the chapter’s funding formula.
• Adds new definitions (ACADV, ADVOCATE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER OR FACILITY, OFFICE, VICTIM) to guide program operation and funding.
• Requires shelters to meet minimum services, obtain certification, and operate under governance and budget procedures; funding distributed proportionally by circuit population with oversight by the Office.
• Establishes a funding distribution process where funds are forwarded to district attorneys and then to the Office for monthly distribution to shelters; includes a 10% overhead cap for administrative costs.
• Unspent funds shall not revert to the General Fund; they return to the circuits or be distributed to certified shelters per the office’s formula; districts must use funds to establish or maintain shelters within 12 months, otherwise funds revert to the Office.
• Effective date set to the first day of the third month after 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

Domestic Violence