HB 222 -- CRIME VICTIMS' COMPENSATION FUND

SPONSOR:  Kelly (27)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Civil and
Administrative Law by a vote of 11 to 0.

This bill makes several changes to the provisions concerning
crime victims' compensation.  The bill:

(1)  Deletes a requirement that $50 be deducted from all crime
victims' compensation awards;

(2)  Raises a limitation on the amount that can be recovered for
loss of earnings or support from gainful employment from $15,000
to $25,000; and

(3)  Excludes life insurance proceeds from the benefits that are
counted against the amount recovered under the crime victims'
compensation fund.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Cost to Crime Victims' Compensation
Fund of $105,160 in FY 2002, FY 2003, and FY 2004.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that currently, victims of crime
must pay what amounts to a "deductible" of $50 before receiving
funds.  There is no reason to charge people for being victims of
crime.  The bill also increases the maximum amount allowed for
lost earnings, which currently is limited to a mere $15,000,
which is simply not enough.  Also, it's not fair to penalize a
crime victim for having bought life insurance.  So the bill
removes life insurance proceeds from the equation used to
determine the amount of funds provided.

Testifying for the bill was Representative Kelly (27).

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Richard Smreker, Senior Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated November 26, 2001 at 11:42 am