HB631 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim Patterson

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Ken JohnsonWes LongWilliam RobertsMack N. ButlerDonnie ChesteenK.L. BrownRandy WoodMike BallPaul W. LeeRichard BaughnBecky NordgrenLynn GreerMike HillDan WilliamsHarry ShiverJim McClendonJim CarnsDavid SessionsAlan HarperKerry Rich

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Public assistance, fraud in obtaining, crime established, penalties, theft of services, knowledge requirement deleted, Sec. 13A-8-10 am'd.

Summary

HB631 tightens Alabama's public assistance fraud laws by expanding theft of services, creating new fraud offenses with penalties, and adding enforcement and screening measures.

What This Bill Does

It bans various fraudulent acts to obtain public assistance from state or federal programs, including false statements, undisclosed changes in circumstances, forging documents, and filing false claims. It also removes the requirement that a person knew the services were for compensation when committing theft of services. It establishes penalties based on fraud amount, with Class C felonies for $200 or more in 12 months and Class A misdemeanors for less than $200. It requires agencies to create fraud risk profiles, screen applications for fraud, use verification systems, and require providers to report certain payments or contributions to the Department of Human Resources.

Who It Affects

• Public assistance recipients and their families, who could be charged with fraud for false statements, misrepresentations, or other fraudulent acts to obtain benefits and may face criminal penalties.
• Providers and vendors who supply goods or services under public assistance programs, who must report payments or contributions and may be subject to enforcement for fraud and misappropriation.
• State and federally funded public assistance program administrators (e.g., HR, Medicaid Agency, Housing Finance Authority), who must create fraud risk profiles, screen applications for fraud, and utilize verification systems to detect fraud.
• Law enforcement and the courts, which would handle new offenses, evidence rules, and prosecution timelines (including a 120-day limit for certain offenses involving hotels, motels, restaurants, etc.).

Key Provisions

• Removes the knowledge requirement in theft of services, broadening who can be charged when someone obtains services without paying.
• Expands what counts as 'services' to include a wide range of items and activities such as labor, transportation, housing, and other public services, with penalties tied to the value of the fraud.
• Creates new offenses related to public assistance fraud (false statements, failure to disclose changes in circumstances, forging documents, filing false claims, and improper receipt of benefits) and sets penalties (Class C felony for $200+ in 12 months; Class A misdemeanor for less).
• Requires public assistance agencies to create error-prone/fraud-prone case profiles, conduct preeligibility fraud screening, and use verification systems; mandates reporting by service providers to the Department of Human Resources within 10 days of payments or contributions, or face Class A misdemeanor.

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

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses