Bill > HB5644

This bill establishes a Mass Violence Care Fund within Texas to provide financial assistance to victims of mass violence events. The fund is designed as a permanent, non-reverting account administered by the Office of the Texas Attorney General, which will be funded through legislative appropriations, donations, and investment earnings. A mass violence event is defined as an intentional criminal act causing physical injury to three or more individuals in a public space, and victims include both those directly present during the event and their immediate family members. The fund will be financially managed by the Texas Comptroller, who will invest the principal while ensuring only investment earnings are used for victim reimbursement. Victims can apply for compensation for unreimbursed medical expenses, with eligibility beginning two years after the event. An advisory board consisting of victim services organizations, the Department of Public Safety, and the Health and Human Services Commission will provide oversight. The Attorney General must submit annual reports detailing fund disbursements and sustainability, and the fund is set to become operational by September 1, 2025. Importantly, the compensation payments will be protected from garnishment except for medical expenses related to the mass violence event, ensuring that victims receive critical financial support during their recovery.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB5644