2024 -- S 2777 SUBSTITUTE A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION

     Introduced By: Senators LaMountain, Tikoian, Burke, McKenney, Quezada, and Ujifusa

     Date Introduced: March 08, 2024

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     (General Treasurer)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 12-25-21.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 12-25 entitled "Criminal

Injuries Compensation" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     12-25-21.1. Emergency fund for victims.

     (a) The office may award emergency compensation under this chapter for the: (1) Burial

expenses of a victim who dies as a direct result of a violent crime as defined in this chapter; (2)

Cost of the crime scene clean up; and (3) Relocation expenses; and (4) Compensation for

modifications to a victim's residence necessary to ensure safety.

     (b) The award for emergency compensation shall be awarded at the sole discretion of the

program administrator. The administrator may promulgate rules and regulations to administer the

provisions of this section.

     (c) An award for emergency compensation for burial expenses shall not exceed the sum of

ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

     (d) An award for emergency compensation for crime scene clean up shall not exceed two

thousand dollars ($2,000).

     (e) An award for emergency compensation for relocation costs shall not exceed five

thousand dollars ($5,000).

     (f) An award for expenses associated with reasonable modifications to the victim's

residence necessary to ensure victim safety shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) and shall

not be awarded in addition to an award for emergency compensation for relocation costs. Further,

any ongoing costs or expenses associated with maintaining or monitoring any modification made

pursuant to this subsection shall be borne exclusively by the victim.

     (f)(g) The award for emergency compensation for burial expenses, crime scene clean up,

and relocation costs shall be deducted from the final award. In the event the victim is not eligible

for an award, the victim shall repay the amount of the emergency award to the fund.

     (g)(h) Any payments made for the emergency compensation shall be deducted from the

final award. In no event shall the final award exceed the maximum award of twenty-five thousand

dollars ($25,000).

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION

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     This act would allow victims of violent crime receiving awards under the state's crime

victim compensation program to use up to $1,000 of their total award to make reasonable

modification to their residence to ensure their future safety.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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