HCS SCS SB 338 -- CRIME VICTIMS

This bill changes the laws regarding crime victims.  In its main
provisions, the bill:

(1)  Requires a photograph to be taken of an incarcerated
individual prior to release and made available to the crime
victim upon his or her request;

(2)  Codifies into statute Executive Order 07-07 which
transferred the administration of the Crime Victims' Compensation
Fund from the Division of Workers' Compensation within the
Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to the Department of
Public Safety;

(3)  Requires the Department of Public Safety to ensure that the
compensation paid to a victim is reasonable and consistent with
the limitations in state law and that any medical expense claims
are medically necessary;

(4)  Prohibits compensation from the fund to any victim who is
injured while under electronic monitoring;

(5)  Allows the Department of Public Safety to receive gifts and
contributions for the benefit of crime victims which will be
deposited into the fund to be used solely for compensating
victims;

(6)  Allows a victim to be represented by counsel or a
representative designated by the victim instead of appearing in
person during an offender's probation revocation or parole
hearing; and

(7)  Specifies that, subject to appropriations, the State Highway
Patrol or its designees and eligible crime laboratories must
develop and make available to appropriate medical providers upon
request evidentiary collection kits at no charge.  The kits will
be used by the provider to perform forensic examinations for the
purpose of gathering evidence of a sexual offense.  The
Department of Public Safety rather than the Department of Health
and Senior Services must make payments to the providers to cover
the reasonable charges of the forensic examination if a claim is
submitted within 90 days and it meets specified criteria.  The
victim or the victim's guardian must consent in writing to the
examination, and the report of the examination must be made on a
form approved by the Attorney General with the advice of the
Department of Public Safety.  A minor may consent to an
examination without the consent of a parent or guardian, but the
appropriate medical provider must give written notice to the
parent or guardian that the examination has taken place.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated November 17, 2009 at 9:26 am