NCJ Number
75891
Date Published
1980
Length
18 pages
Annotation
The report of the Committee on the Judiciary regarding the Victims of Crime Act of 1979 is presented; amendments to the bill, purpose and structure of the legislation, and dissenting views are provided.
Abstract
The committee recommends that the bill as amended herein be passed by the House of Representatives. The purpose of the legislation is to help States assist the innocent victims of crime. Recognizing that many victims of crime suffer considerable financial hardship, some 28 States have established programs to compensate people who are injured by criminal acts. They compensate only innocent victims of crime and only pay compensation if the victim has been physically injured or has died. The programs include provisions that prevent double recovery by ensuring that the amount of medical expenses paid by insurance is deducted from the victim's claim. In the committee's opinion, it is entirely appropriate for the Federal Government to be a partner with the States in assisting innocent victims of crime. The proposed legislation vests in the Attorney General the responsibility for administering the provisions of the act. It also establishes an Advisory Committee on Victims of Crime to advise the Attorney General. In section 4 of the bill, 11 criteria that a State crime victim compensation program must meet to qualify for a Federal grant are specified. The legislation also provides that certain State expenditures on behalf of its victim compensation program are not reimbursable. The Attorney General must report to Congress periodically and may make grants starting with fiscal year 1980. Fifteen million dollars is authorized for grants for 1980. Opinions of individuals opposing this legislation are included. Our statement proposes delaying Federal involvement until inflation is brought under control. Sixteen footnotes are provided.