Bill > S4023

Introduced Session

This bill requires the Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) in the Department of Public Safety to offer emergency assistance to victims of crime and their family members. Specifically, upon the request of a victim or family member, the bill requires a properly trained employee of the VCCO to be dispatched to the hospital or other emergency care facility to assist the victim or family member in obtaining resources from the VCCO and completing the application process. To facilitate this emergency assistance, the bill requires the VCCO to maintain a 24-hour toll-free hotline and electronic mail to receive requests for assistance from victims of crime or their family members. The information to be disseminated through the hotline or electronic mail is to include: a summary of resources offered by the VCCO; the availability of emergency awards; and the availability of a trained VCCO employee to be dispatched to the location of the victim or family member to provide emergency assistance. Information concerning the availability of the hotline and the electronic mail is to be made available at all State, county, and municipal police departments; courtrooms in county courthouses and municipal courts; and hospitals or other places of emergency care.

Committee Categories

Teresa Ruiz (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee (on 11/08/2021)