Bill > HB2177

This bill modifies provisions related to victims eligible to receive compensation from two key funds: the Tort Victims' Compensation Fund and the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund. The key changes include adding new eligibility requirements for claimants, specifically that they must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or hold a valid U.S. visa. For the Tort Victims' Compensation Fund, the bill requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to verify claimant eligibility before authorizing payments and allows administrative law judges to determine reasonable attorney's fees up to 15% of the awarded compensation. For the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund, the bill similarly requires the Department of Public Safety to verify claimant eligibility and defines an "eligible injured victim" as someone who is a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or legally present visa holder who has suffered physical injury in Missouri while attempting to prevent a crime, assisting a crime victim, or assisting a law enforcement officer. The bill also makes several technical changes to definitions, fund management, and administrative procedures for these compensation programs, with the overarching goal of ensuring that compensation is directed to eligible victims while preventing fraudulent claims.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2177&year=2026&code=R