Alabama commission approves compensation increases for violent crime victims

The Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission Thursday voted to increase the payouts on some claims from victims of violent crimes.

Under the administrative code change approved by members at a special meeting, payouts will go up for financial losses, lost wages, and funeral and medical expenses.

“I am so excited to do so because we had needed these changes for a long time,” said Darlene Hutchinson, commissioner with ACVCC.

The board voted to approve the changes for public comment with the Legislative Services Agency during the meeting in May. The changes will take effect next week. The payouts will increase in steps based on a specified time frame the claims are filed, according to the filings on the Legislative Services Agency website.

Victims or their families who file claims beginning in October for an economic loss or lost wages may receive $600 per week up to $15,000. Currently, the limit is $400 a week for claims filed before October 2025, and $500 for claims filed after that date.

Victims may also receive benefits to offset half of their medical expenses stemming from the incident, an increase from 30%. Commissioners also increased the maximum payout from $6,000 to $10,000. Those who filed claims before October will be compensated at the previous rate.

The agency also increased the maximum payout for funeral expenses from $5,000 to $7,000, and for moving expenses from $1,000 to $2,500.

The agency also extended the window for victims to apply for claims with the commission from one year to two years in the administrative code. That change was made after lawmakers passed HB 255, sponsored by Rep. Russell Bedsole, R-Alabaster, two days before they adjourned the legislative session for the year.

The Alabama House of Representatives passed a similar version in 2025, but it was not approved in the Senate before the session ended that year.

Survivors of crime victims organized a rally in February at the state capitol to urge lawmakers to pass HB 255 and for the state to expand outreach and enhance services for victims of crime.