SB201INTRODUCED Page 0 SB201 JPPZ9FN-1 By Senator Bell RFD: Finance and Taxation General Fund First Read: 27-Feb-25 1 2 3 4 5 JPPZ9FN-1 02/27/2025 THR (L)ma 2025-1022 Page 1 First Read: 27-Feb-25 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: "ยง15-23-12 (a) Compensation shall not be awarded in any of the 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 SB201 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 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 SB201 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, 2025. 57 58 59 60 61 62