2013 -- H 5969

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LC02260

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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A N A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE - CRIME INJURIES COMPENSATION

     Introduced By: Representatives Williams, Hearn, Fox, Naughton, and Ajello

     Date Introduced: April 09, 2013

     Referred To: House Judiciary

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 12-25-21.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 12-25 entitled

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"Criminal Injuries Compensation" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     12-25-21.1. Emergency fund for victims. -- (a) The office may award emergency

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compensation under this chapter for the: (1) burial Burial expenses of a victim who dies as a

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direct result of a violent crime as defined in this chapter; (2) Cost of the crime scene clean up; and

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(3) Relocation expenses.

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      (b) The award for emergency compensation shall be awarded at the sole discretion of the

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program administrator. The administrator may promulgate rules and regulations to administer the

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provisions of this section.

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      (c) An award for emergency compensation for burial expenses shall not exceed the sum

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of eight thousand dollars ($8,000).

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     (d) An award for emergency compensation for crime scene clean up shall not exceed two

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thousand dollars ($2,000).

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     (e) An award for emergency compensation for relocation costs shall not exceed two

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thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500).

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     (d)(f) The award for emergency compensation for burial expenses, crime scene clean up,

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and relocation costs shall be deducted from the final award. In the event the victim is not eligible

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for an award, the victim shall repay the amount of the emergency award to the fund.

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      (e) The office may award emergency compensation for the cost of crime scene clean up.

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The crime scene clean up shall be limited to the cost of cleaning the blood from the crime scene.

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The total emergency compensation for crime scene clean up shall not exceed one hundred fifty

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dollars ($150) per hour and shall not exceed the total amount of two thousand dollars ($2,000).

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      (f)(g) Any payments made for the emergency compensation shall be deducted from the

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final award. In no event shall the final award exceed the maximum award of twenty-five thousand

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dollars ($25,000).

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC02260

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE - CRIME INJURIES COMPENSATION

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     This act would make changes to the crime injuries compensation fund, allowing for the

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recovery of crime scene clean ups and relocation.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC02260

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