2016 -- H 7533

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LC004138

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE-CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Blazejewski, Johnston, Keable, Casey, and Solomon

     Date Introduced: February 10, 2016

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     (General Treasurer)

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 expenses of a victim who dies as a direct

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result of a violent crime as defined in this chapter; (2) Cost of the crime scene clean up; and (3)

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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). ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

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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). five thousand dollars ($5,000).

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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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      (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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      (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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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE-CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION

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     This act would increase the emergency fund pursuant to the Criminal Injuries

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Compensation Act for burial expenses from $8,000 to $10,000 and increase the emergency

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relocation costs from $2,000 to $5,000.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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