Bill > S04584

This bill requires the Office of Victim Services to significantly expand its public communication and reporting efforts. The office must now publicize its programs through various channels including criminal justice agencies, hospitals, counseling services, and other public and private organizations, with a focus on spreading awareness about compensation procedures. The annual report to the governor and legislature will now be more comprehensive, requiring detailed performance metrics such as the number of claim applications filed, accepted, and rejected, along with anonymized data about claimants' demographics and the types of crimes involved. The bill also broadens the eligibility for victim compensation, including allowing compensation for crime scene cleanup expenses and expanding the list of family members who can file claims. Additionally, the bill increases some compensation limits, such as raising burial expense compensation from $6,000 to $12,000, and clarifies that awards will not be reduced by private donations, including crowdfunding proceeds. The legislation aims to improve transparency, accessibility, and support for crime victims and their families by providing more information, broader compensation options, and clearer reporting of the office's activities.

Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S4584