HB320 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mike Jones

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Domestic violence, greater protection to victims, provided, Sec. 13A-6-139.1, 41-23-150 added; Secs. 11-45-9, 13A-6-130, 13A-6-131, 13A-6-132, 13A-6-134, 13A-6-138, 13A-6-140 to 13A-6-143, inclusive, 15-10-3, 15-13-190, 15-23-68, 30-5-2, 30-5-3, 30-5-5 to 30-5-8, inclusive, 30-6-1 to 30-6-11, inclusive, 30-6-13, 30-7-1 to 30-7-6, inclusive, 30-9-1, 30-9-2, am'd.

Summary

HB320 strengthens Alabama's response to domestic violence by standardizing definitions, tightening protection and enforcement, and creating new funding, oversight, and prosecutorial resources for victims and shelters.

What This Bill Does

It standardizes key terms like dating relationships and domestic violence across the code, clarifying what conduct qualifies and how victims are protected. It strengthens protection order enforcement, adds victim rights information, and increases penalties for violations of orders. It shifts shelter certification and monitoring to the Department of Economic and Community Affairs, creates a Domestic Violence Trust Fund and a capital improvement grant program to fund centers, and establishes a Domestic Violence Resource Prosecutor to coordinate training and support for victims, law enforcement, and prosecutors, along with expanded reporting and fatality review.

Who It Affects

• Domestic violence victims in Alabama, who would receive stronger protections, clearer information about their rights, and improved access to shelter services and enforcement.
• Domestic violence centers/shelters and related agencies (law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, and local governments), which would be funded, overseen, and regulated through new grant programs and the Department of Economic and Community Affairs.

Key Provisions

• Adds 13A-6-139.1 with defined terms for dating relationships and domestic violence acts to create a consistent framework across the code.
• Amends multiple sections to unify DV definitions and penalties, including enhanced minimum terms for violations of protection orders and rules on determining predominant aggressor.
• Establishes the Domestic Violence Protection Order Enforcement Act, detailing how orders are issued, enforced, and penalties for violations, including escalating penalties for subsequent violations.
• Creates the Domestic Violence Trust Fund under DECA to fund certified DV centers, with guidelines on administration, funding distribution, local match requirements, reporting, and confidentiality.
• Transfers certification and monitoring of domestic violence shelters from the Office of Prosecution Services to DECA and creates a capital improvement grant program with needs assessments, grant limits (center cap of $250,000 annually), and confidentiality protections in the grant process.
• Establishes a Domestic Violence Center Capital Improvement Grant Program (Article 9, Title 41) to support construction, repair, and upgrading of center facilities, governed by needs assessments and matching funds.
• Creates a Domestic Violence Resource Prosecutor funded by DECA to train and coordinate among prosecutors, law enforcement, and shelters, and to advocate for victims.
• Adds mandatory reporting and record-keeping requirements for agencies handling DV incidents, and creates statewide and local domestic violence fatality review teams for prevention and policy recommendations.

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