The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 2372.
This bill establishes an exception to the five-year limitation on payments of claims to victims by the Victims of Crime Compensation Office.
Under current law, a victim’s claim for compensation expires five years after an initial determination order is made by the Victims of Crime Compensation Office. This bill would allow the office to continue making payments to a victim if the office determines that compelling circumstances exist justifying the payment of a claim beyond the five-year limit.
According to the sponsor, this bill is needed to assist victims who have legitimate reasons to require services beyond five years. For example, a victim who received mental health counseling during an initial trial against the defendant was denied further counseling during a retrial because the new trial occurred more than five years after the victim received counseling during the first trial. Under this bill, the office would have discretion to award payments beyond the five-year limitation in such cases.
As reported by the committee, this bill is identical to Senate Bill No.1893, which also was reported by the committee on this date.
If you or a loved one has been a victim of a serious crime and would like to receive monetary assistance, call Garces & Grabler, P.C. immediately toll free at 1–866–951–0633 or contact us online. You can count on a responsive attorney who provides the attention, dedication and experience your case deserves.
