Bill > LD533

This bill establishes a new program within the Department of Corrections, called the Victims' Reparative Account, to allow individuals incarcerated in state facilities to voluntarily contribute additional money to victims of their crimes, beyond any court-ordered restitution. This account, administered by the Victim Services Coordinator, will accept donations from offenders, with the stipulation that these donations cannot hinder their ability to pay existing court-ordered restitution. Once deposited, the money cannot be reclaimed by the offender. The Victim Services Coordinator will attempt to locate and notify the intended victim, who can then claim the funds for any purpose. If a victim does not claim the money within five years, the department can use a portion to cover administrative costs and will transfer the remainder to the Victims' Compensation Fund, which helps victims with expenses related to crimes. The bill also clarifies that existing assessments for victims' compensation, which are mandatory fines imposed upon conviction for certain crimes, will now explicitly include funds transferred from this new voluntary reparations account. Participation in this voluntary program is confidential and cannot be used as an incentive or a factor in any decisions made by the Department of Corrections regarding the offender.

Justice

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=533&snum=132