HB352 Alabama 2014 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Paul DeMarco
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2014
Title: Crime Victims Compensation Commission, definition of funeral expenses and work loss, payments to victims, administrative expense of commission, Secs. 15-23-3, 15-23-5, 15-23-15 am'd.
Summary: HB352 raises key compensation limits for crime victims, refines definitions of expenses and loss, and expands the Crime Victims Compensation Commission's administrative powers.
What This Bill Does
It increases the funeral expense cap from 5,000 to 7,000 dollars and raises the weekly caps for work loss and replacement services to 600 dollars per week, while increasing the overall compensation cap to 20,000 dollars. It clarifies and broadens definitions of allowance expense, work loss, and related economic losses, and adds a lump-sum option for future economic loss under certain conditions. It expands the Commission’s authority to manage compensation—covering administrative costs, staff, investments, and funding for victim-service programs—along with rules and publicity about the program. The changes take effect October 1, 2014.

Who It Affects
Victims of crime and their dependents who file compensation claims, who would see higher limits for funeral expenses, weekly loss, and total compensation, and may have new options for lump-sum payments.
The Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission and related state agencies, which gain expanded authority to administer the program, pay administrative costs, hire staff, invest funds, issue grants, and develop victim-support initiatives.

Key Provisions
Definition updates: allowance expense now includes medical care and funeral costs, with funeral expenses capped at $7,000.
Work loss and replacement services: weekly caps increased to $600; definitions for work loss, replacement services loss, and economic loss clarified.
Aggregate limit: total compensation not to exceed $20,000 in the aggregate.
Lump-sum option: future economic loss may be converted to a lump sum under conditions that benefit the claimant or where present value is $5,000 or less.
Administrative and funding powers: Commission can pay administrative salaries/expenses, hire staff, invest funds, publicize compensation, accept loans/grants, and provide or award funds to support victim-service programs.
Criminally injurious conduct: definitions expanded to cover acts inside or outside Alabama under specified circumstances (e.g., citizenship, employment, military status, age, or training) for eligibility considerations.
Effective date: the act becomes effective October 1, 2014.

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