SB192 • 2026

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

Crime

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Bell
Last action: 2026-04-07
Official status: Indefinitely Postponed in House of Origin
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

There is a conflict between the bill text stating an effective date of October 1, 2026, and the metadata status 'Indefinitely Postponed'. The explanation notes this uncertainty but includes the proposed effective date as written in the act itself.

Extending the Time to File Crime Victim Compensation Claims in Alabama

This bill changes state law to allow people seeking compensation from the Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission two years, instead of one year, to file a claim after an injury or death.

What This Bill Does

Changes the deadline for filing claims from one year after an injury or death to two years.
Amends Section 15-23-12 of the Code of Alabama 1975 regarding claim filings.
Keeps the rule that compensation is denied if a claim is filed late without good cause.

Who It Names or Affects

Individuals seeking money from the Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission
The Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission

Terms To Know

Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission: A state group that gives financial help to people hurt or killed by crimes.
Claim: An official request for money from the commission after a crime happens.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not change rules about reporting crimes to police within 72 hours.
Compensation can still be denied if the victim was involved in the crime or did not cooperate with law enforcement.
Although the text shows this act would become effective on October 1, 2026, official records list its final status as indefinitely postponed.

Bill History

2026-04-07 Senate
Currently Indefinitely Postponed
2026-01-29 Senate
Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
2026-01-28 Senate
Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
2026-01-21 Senate
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
2026-01-21 Senate
Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary

Official Summary Text

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

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

SB192 INTRODUCED
Page 0
SB192
EJLAX29-1
By Senator Bell
RFD: Judiciary
First Read: 21-Jan-26
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EJLAX29-1 01/21/2026 EGC (L)EGC 2026-404
Page 1
First Read: 21-Jan-26
SYNOPSIS:
Under existing law, an individual seeking
compensation from the Alabama Crime Victims
Compensation Commission must file a claim within one
year of the injury or death upon which the claim is
based.
This bill would provide that an individual
seeking compensation from the Alabama Crime Victims
Compensation Commission may file a claim within two
years of the injury or death upon which the claim is
based.
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to the Alabama Crime Victims Compensation
Commission; to amend Section 15-23-12, Code of Alabama 1975,
to further provide for the filing of claims.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. Section 15-23-12, Code of Alabama 1975, is
amended to read as follows:
"§15-23-12
(a) Compensation shall not be awarded in any of the
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SB192 INTRODUCED
Page 2
(a) Compensation shall not be awarded in any of the
following circumstances:
(1) A claim has been filed with the commission later
than one year two years after the injury or death upon which
the claim is based, unless the commission finds there was good
cause for the failure to file within that time.
(2) To a claimant who was the offender, or an
accomplice of the offender, or who encouraged or in any way
participated in the criminally injurious conduct.
(3) If the award would unjustly benefit the offender or
accomplice of the offender.
(4) The criminally injurious conduct resulting in
injury or death was reported to a law enforcement officer
later than 72 hours after its occurrence, unless the
commission finds there was good cause for the failure to
report within that time.
(b) Compensation otherwise payable to a claimant may be
diminished or denied to the extent that the economic loss is
recouped from collateral sources ;, or to the extent that the
degree of responsibility for the cause of the injury or death
is attributable to the victim as determined by the commission.
(c) The commission, upon finding that the claimant or
victim has not fully cooperated with appropriate law
enforcement agencies, may deny, withdraw, or reduce an award
of compensation.
(d) The commission, on its own motion or on request of
the claimant, may reconsider a decision granting or denying an
award or determining its an award amount. An order on
reconsideration of an award shall not require a refund of
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SB192 INTRODUCED
Page 3
reconsideration of an award shall not require a refund of
amounts previously paid, unless the award was obtained by
fraud. The right of reconsideration does not affect the
finality of a commission decision for the purpose of judicial
review."
Section 2. This act shall become effective on October
1, 2026.
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