SB105 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Scott BeasonTrip Pittman

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

SB105 broadens public-assistance fraud laws, removes the knowledge requirement from theft of services, and adds enforcement and penalty provisions.

What This Bill Does

It makes it illegal to obtain public assistance through false statements, misrepresentation, impersonation, failure to disclose changes, or other fraudulent means for any state or federally funded program. It removes the requirement that the person knew the services were for compensation when stealing services. It sets penalties of a Class C felony for $200+ fraud in 12 months and a Class A misdemeanor for less than $200, and it requires agencies to screen for fraud and providers to report certain payments within 10 days.

Who It Affects

• Public assistance recipients who commit fraud or misrepresent their circumstances to obtain benefits, who could face Class A misdemeanors or Class C felonies depending on the amount involved.
• State agencies, administrators, and service providers who administer and deliver public assistance, who must implement fraud screening, maintain fraud-related records, and report payments or contributions related to public assistance.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits knowingly obtaining public assistance through false statements, misrepresentation, impersonation, failure to disclose changes in circumstances, aid to others, or misuse of program IDs or authorizations.
• Removes the knowledge requirement that services are for compensation in theft-of-services prosecutions.
• Defines penalties: aggregate fraud of $200 or more in 12 months is a Class C felony; less than $200 is a Class A misdemeanor.
• Expands what counts as public assistance fraud to include false claims, fraudulent records, unauthorized claims, and misuse of food, Medicaid, or other program identifications.
• Requires public assistance agencies to create fraud-prone case profiles and perform preeligibility fraud screening, using verification systems as needed.
• Adds a 10-day reporting requirement for service providers to notify the Department of Human Resources about payments or contributions from recipients or their families; failure to report is a Class A misdemeanor.
• Provides evidentiary rules related to public assistance fraud, including prima facie evidence from warrants or PIN-based transaction history.
• States the bill is not subject to local expenditure requirements under Amendment 621 because it defines a new crime or amends an existing one.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after its passage and approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses