HB355 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Russell BedsoleRepresentative

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission, filing of claims further provided for

Summary

The bill extends the filing window for Alabama Crime Victims Compensation claims from 1 year to 2 years after the injury or death, with a good-cause exception for late filings.

What This Bill Does

It amends Section 15-23-12 to allow claimants up to two years to file for compensation. The change adds a good-cause exception for late filings, but the bill keeps other eligibility rules intact, including grounds to deny or reduce awards (such as involvement by the offender or accomplice, or if the loss is recovered from other sources). It also preserves existing rules about reporting to law enforcement, cooperation with authorities, and reconsideration of decisions, and it becomes effective October 1, 2025.

Who It Affects

• Crime victims and their families, who may file claims up to two years after the injury or death (instead of one year).
• Offenders or accomplices (or those who encouraged or participated in the crime), who may face stricter eligibility restrictions or denial of compensation.
• The Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission, which will implement and apply the extended filing deadline and maintain existing eligibility rules.

Key Provisions

• Filing deadline extended from 1 year to 2 years after the injury or death for claims, with a good-cause exception for late filing.
• Remains grounds for denial or reduction of compensation, including if the claimant was the offender or an accomplice, or if the award would unjustly benefit the offender.
• Compensation may be diminished or denied if economic losses are recovered from collateral sources or based on the victim's degree of responsibility.
• Commission may deny, withdraw, or reduce an award if the claimant did not fully cooperate with law enforcement.
• Commission may reconsider a decision on awards, with procedures regarding refunds and finality.
• Effective date of October 1, 2025.

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

Subjects

Criminal Procedure