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 It also removes check-off options for organizations whose contributions were previously rescinded and consolidates all remaining tax check-off provisions into a single section of law.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 The bill updates the tax code to reflect current check-off recipients and removes outdated provisions.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.
HB 243, the Devinee Rooney and John Wesley Holt Safe Streets Act, amends Alabama law to increase penalties for causing death through traffic violations and drug-related incidents. It raises the penalty for causing death by driving in violation of specific traffic laws (Sections 32-5A-191 or 32-5A-191.3) from a misdemeanor to a Class C felony, and creates a new offense for knowingly selling fentanyl-containing drugs that cause death (excluding licensed medical professionals). The bill also clarifies that victims of traffic-related crimes under Sections 32-10-1 through 32-10-5 are eligible for restitution. These changes directly affect drivers in fatal traffic accidents, drug sellers, and crime victims seeking restitution.
HB 143 would upgrade penalties for motor vehicle accident violations in Alabama. It changes criminally negligent homicide caused by a vehicle operator from a Class C to a Class B felony and creates tiered penalties for failing to report accidents: Class C felony for physical injury, Class B for serious injury, and Class A felony for death. The bill also requires courts to consider accident victims eligible for restitution when convictions occur under these provisions. These changes directly affect drivers involved in accidents causing injury or death and the victims seeking compensation. The bill is pending committee review and would take effect October 1, 2026.
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.
SB 31 increases penalties for making terrorist threats in the first or second degree. It requires school officials to immediately contact law enforcement when a student makes a terrorist threat, and establishes procedures for student suspensions, readmittance, and restitution for victims. The bill directly affects individuals making threats (facing harsher criminal penalties), schools (mandating immediate reporting), and students involved in such incidents (subject to suspension and restitution requirements). Key provisions include enhanced criminal penalties, mandatory law enforcement notification by schools, and defined processes for student suspension and victim restitution. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee and does not specify exact penalty amounts or detailed suspension procedures in the provided context.
HB 11, titled "Jolee's Law," prohibits judges from granting youthful offender status to individuals aged 16 or older charged with capital murder (per Section 13A-5-40) or murder (per Section 13A-6-2(a)(1)). It directly affects defendants in these specific homicide cases, requiring them to be charged, arrested, and tried as adults rather than as youthful offenders. The bill amends Alabama law to block youthful offender status in these cases, though defendants may qualify if charges are later reduced to lesser offenses. It also adds victim notification requirements (10 days prior to hearings) and mandates courts to consider victim injury evidence before ruling on youthful offender status. The bill is pending in the House Judiciary Committee as of January 2026.
HB 7 increases penalties for making terrorist threats in Alabama, elevating the first-degree offense to a Class B felony (from Class C) and the second-degree offense to a Class D felony (from Class A misdemeanor). It also requires public school principals to immediately notify law enforcement when a student's conduct potentially involves such a threat and mandates a mandatory one-year school suspension for students charged with making a terrorist threat in either degree. The bill specifies conditions for student readmittance and requires convicted individuals to pay restitution to victims. This directly affects K-12 students, school administrators, law enforcement, and courts by tightening legal consequences for threats targeting schools, public spaces, or officials.
