HCS HB 831 -- CRIME VICTIMS' COMPENSATION FUND

SPONSOR:  Smith (Carnahan)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Civil and
Administrative Law by a vote of 15 to 0.

This substitute creates an Office of Victims of Crime within the
Department of Public Safety.  The office will serve as the state
agency dedicated to promoting victims' rights and to
disseminating information on victims' rights and services.  The
office will also work closely with state and local agencies and
organizations to coordinate a response plan in the event of a
catastrophic crime.  The office will make an assessment and
report to the Governor on the feasibility of an automated crime
victim notification system.

The substitute also increases the surcharge on each state
criminal court filing from $5 to $10.  This money is deposited
in the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund and is used in part to
fund all of the activities of the office.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Income to Crime Victims'
Compensation Fund of $0 to $5,063,686 in FY 2002, $0 to
$4,763,570 in FY 2003, and $0 to $5,055,127 in FY 2004.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that victims of crime need one
office that they can call for assistance.  The bill merely
allows the Department of Public Safety to coordinate the various
state and local agencies that offer assistance, so as to
eliminate duplication and increase effectiveness.  The increase
in criminal court fees is needed to fulfill the state's
obligations to crime victims, pursuant to the Missouri
Constitution.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Carnahan; Department
of Public Safety; Statewide Crime Victims' Association; Missouri
Coalition Against Sexual Assault; and Division of Workers'
Compensation.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Richard Smreker, Senior Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated November 26, 2001 at 11:46 am