Crime victim compensation bill approved by Senate

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) - Legislation that would provide more support for crime victims in Kentucky, including a higher cap on compensation, has moved over to the House after unanimously clearing the Senate.

Senate Bill 319, sponsored by Sen. Denise Harper Angel, D-Louisville, builds upon a measure passed last year (SB 282) that increased the financial support caps for crime victims in the state. SB 319 further extends this support.

"For over two decades in the legislature, my focus has been on fighting for the rights and support of crime victims," Harper Angel said. "SB 319 is the culmination of this commitment, adding significant provisions to the groundwork laid by SB 282. This bill is about removing barriers, enhancing compensation, and ensuring that support is accessible and just. Working alongside key partners and stakeholders, we've crafted legislation that I hope stands as a lasting testament to our dedication to victims of crime."

Some of the provisions of the legislation include:

--Increasing the overall compensation cap for crime victims from $30,000 to $50,000.

--Broadening eligibility to include caregivers among those entitled to compensation.

--Eliminating the five-year statute of limitations, addressing the backlog of rape kits.

--Introducing an online, multilingual application process for victim support, alongside a system to track application status.

--Expanding emergency awards provisions and increases maximum award amounts for immediate support needs.

Harper Angel says this goes along with her long-standing commitment to crime victims; as well as her collaborative efforts with organizations such as The Joyful Heart Foundation, the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs (KASAP), the Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence (KCADV), Marsy's Law advocates, and the Kentucky Hospital Association (KHA), in conjunction with the Crime Victims Compensation Board.

Following the 38-0 vote, Harper Angel stated, "I am proud of this legislation. After years of effort, alongside our partners and stakeholders, we're ensuring that support for crime victims is stronger, more accessible, and more comprehensive than ever. Hopefully, as the end of my career in public service draws near, this will be another bill I can pass to help victims of crime, having built a robust system to support them for many years to come."