2024 -- H 8320

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LC006178

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $2,000,000 TO THE RI FOUNDATION TO SUPPORT

VOCA GRANT RECIPIENT ORGANIZATIONS IN RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Craven, and Caldwell

     Date Introduced: May 30, 2024

     Referred To: House Finance

     WHEREAS, Over thirty Rhode Island victims of crime services organizations and state

agencies rely upon federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) appropriations annually to continue to

serve crime victims and survivors in the State. These victim assistance programs support some of

the most vulnerable populations in Rhode Island, including minor victims of child abuse, sexual

assault survivors, elder abuse victims, domestic violence victims, and survivors of human

trafficking, community violence, and gun violence; and

     WHEREAS, The VOCA funds distributed to Rhode Island have been significantly cut for

FY 2024 by nearly 40 percent, which will result in severe scaling back of these vital and

lifesaving survivor services, putting crime victim safety and recovery in jeopardy. This critical

source of funding allows local organizations to provide support services to some of our most at-

risk community members. In total, more than 42,000 individuals received VOCA-funded services

in Rhode Island during the 2023 fiscal year; and

     WHEREAS, These victim assistance programs provide services to crime survivors in

crisis, education programs, and advocacy and prevention efforts to better support victims and

communities affected by many different forms of violence; and

     WHEREAS, These Rhode Island victim services organizations envision a society where

violence is not tolerated because communities are enlightened and responsive to the needs of

victims and their children, focusing on policy, prevention, survivor activism, communications,

and training to achieve this critical goal; and

     WHEREAS, These victim assistance agencies provide a wide array of services for

victims of crime, including a 24/7 statewide Victims of Crime Helpline and individual agency

hotlines, referrals for crime victim’s financial compensation, restraining order advocacy,

emergency shelter and housing, and support for groups, counseling services, child advocacy

services, assistance with pending court processes, assistance with civil legal services, and more;

and

     WHEREAS, This funding for VOCA will fill the significant gap in federal VOCA

funding appropriated, thereby allowing these essential Rhode Island victim services organizations

to fulfill their missions to aid and support victims of violent crime in the State; now, therefore be

it

     RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated out of any money in the treasury not

otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2024-2025, the sum of $2 million ($2,000,000) to the

Rhode Island Foundation to distribute as grants to the Rhode Island nonprofit organization

recipients of federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding, utilizing the current grant

distribution formula for the VOCA-funded organizations; and the state controller is hereby

authorized and directed to draw his orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of said sum,

or so much thereof as may be from time to time required, upon receipt of properly authorized

vouchers.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $2,000,000 TO THE RI FOUNDATION TO SUPPORT

VOCA GRANT RECIPIENT ORGANIZATIONS IN RHODE ISLAND

***

     This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $2,000,000 to the Rhode

Island Foundation to distribute as grants to the Rhode Island nonprofit organization recipients of

federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding.

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LC006178

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