HB535 Summary

• Imposes an additional $25 court cost in all domestic violence cases, protection from abuse cases, stalking cases, and other cases determined by the judge to be domestic violence cases in Cullman County circuit, district, and municipal courts.

• Court clerks shall collect the court costs upon conviction or dismissal and remit proceeds quarterly to the Cullman County Commission for placement in a designated domestic violence account.

• Quarterly dispersals from the account shall support operation of the Harbor Haus domestic violence shelter in Cullman County, provided the shelter maintains compliance with standards set by the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

• If the shelter is dissolved, accumulated funds shall be remitted to the Cullman County Juvenile Day Treatment Fund to assist families and juveniles adversely affected by domestic violence.

• The act became effective immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (passed House February 18, 2010; passed Senate March 4, 2010).