SB126 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Crime Victims Compensation Commission, compensation claims, authority to authorize executive director to approve any claims, contested cases under Ala. Admin. Procedure Act, commission to meet quarterly, Secs. 15-23-4, 15-23-5 am'd.

Summary

SB126 updates the Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission's structure, eligibility decisions, and governance, including how contested claims are reviewed.

What This Bill Does

SB126 changes how compensation eligibility is decided by authorizing the executive director to approve original claims up to $2,000 and supplemental claims up to $1,000, with all contested cases reviewed by the commission under the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act. It also reorganizes the commission as a three-member body with specified qualifications, diversity goals, term lengths, and annual chair selection, plus requirements for quarterly and monthly public meetings, bonding, and member pay. The bill strengthens privacy protections by keeping victims’ names and filing details confidential. It gives the commission broad powers to publicize compensation, manage funds, hire staff, accept gifts or grants, and support model crime-victim programs and data collection.

Who It Affects

• Crime victims or their families who file compensation claims, who may see changes in eligibility decisions and confidentiality protections.
• Members of the Commission (including law enforcement and victim advocates) and the general public who attend meetings and rely on the commission's procedures, funding, and transparency measures.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes the executive director to determine eligibility for all original compensation claims up to $2,000 and supplemental claims up to $1,000, with the commission reviewing contested decisions under the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act.
• Reforms the commission's structure and authority by establishing a three-member board with defined appointment, diversity, term, meeting, bonding, and compensation requirements, and enumerates a broad set of powers to regulate procedures, fund operations, and support victim-related programs and data collection.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crime Victims Compensation Commission