House Bill 255 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Russell BedsoleRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

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

Summary

HB255 would extend the filing deadline for Alabama Crime Victims Compensation claims from one year to two years after the injury or death, with related eligibility rules and an effective date of October 1, 2026.

What This Bill Does

It changes the time limit to file a claim from one year to two years after the injury or death, with a good cause exception for late filing. It bars compensation for claimants who are the offender, an accomplice, or who participated in the crime, and it adds a requirement that injury reports to law enforcement within 72 hours unless there is good cause. It allows compensation to be reduced or denied if economic losses are recovered from collateral sources or if the victim is at fault, and it authorizes denial, withdrawal, or reduction of an award for not fully cooperating with law enforcement. It also lets the commission reconsider a decision, with limits on refunds and preserving the ability to seek judicial review.

Who It Affects

• Crime victims and other claimants who seek compensation would have up to two years to file, but their eligibility can be affected by cooperation with law enforcement, reporting timing, and whether they are the offender or an accomplice.
• Offenders, accomplices, or those who participated in the crime would be ineligible for compensation, or have their awards reduced, under the bill's provisions.

Key Provisions

• Filing deadline extended to two years after the injury or death, with good cause allowed for late filing.
• No award if the claimant is the offender, an accomplice, or participated in the criminally injurious conduct; late reporting to law enforcement (beyond 72 hours) may bar the claim unless there is good cause.
• Awards may be diminished or denied to the extent economic losses are recovered from collateral sources or the victim bears responsibility for the injury.
• Commission may deny, withdraw, or reduce an award if the claimant did not cooperate fully with law enforcement.
• Commission may reconsider a decision, with a clarified process and limited refunds except in cases of fraud; reconsideration does not affect final judicial review.
• Effective date: October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 11, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Criminal Procedure