Criminal Justice (Victims' Rights)

HB 389 expands the definition of "domestic violence victim" to include children of household members who live with or visit the defendant. It establishes mandatory temporary holding periods for domestic violence arrests, requires specific bond conditions for released defendants, and increases penalties for third-degree domestic violence and strangulation offenses. The bill also adds factors for law enforcement to determine the "predominant aggressor" in mutual complaints, mandates specific victim notification language, prohibits polygraph exams for victims, and requires reporting of domestic violence incidents without arrests. These changes directly affect domestic violence victims, law enforcement officers, and courts in Alabama.

HB 438 reinstates a check-off option on Alabama income tax returns for donations to Victims of Crime and Leniency, Inc. (VOCAL), which provides support to crime victims. It also removes check-off options for organizations whose contributions were previously rescinded and consolidates all remaining tax check-off provisions into a single section of law. Alabama residents who file state income tax returns can select this check-off to direct a portion of their refund to VOCAL or other designated programs. The bill updates the tax code to reflect current check-off recipients and removes outdated provisions.

HB 481 (Alabama) requires courts to prioritize victim restitution payments over all other fines, court costs, and fees in criminal cases. Specifically, it amends Alabama Code sections 15-18-65(b) and 15-18-70(b) to mandate that restitution to crime victims must be paid first, before any other financial obligations from the conviction. This directly affects criminal defendants (who must pay restitution before other debts), crime victims (who receive payments sooner), and court systems (which must enforce this payment order). The bill does not change how restitution amounts are calculated but ensures victims are compensated ahead of other financial obligations tied to the case.

HB 255 amends Alabama law to extend the deadline for crime victims to file compensation claims from one year to two years after an injury or death, with exceptions for "good cause." It maintains a 72-hour rule for reporting crimes to police before claims can be processed, also allowing exceptions for "good cause." The bill directly affects crime victims seeking financial assistance and the Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission, which administers these claims. Key provisions streamline filing deadlines while preserving existing safeguards against fraudulent claims or claims from victims who participated in the crime.

SB 192 extends the deadline for Alabama crime victims to file compensation claims with the Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission from one year to two years after the injury or death. This change directly affects individuals who suffered harm from criminal acts and seek financial assistance for medical costs, lost wages, or funeral expenses. The bill amends Section 15-23-12 of Alabama law to set the new two-year filing period, while preserving the existing exception allowing claims filed after the deadline if the commission finds "good cause" for the delay. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026.