Sponsored by:
Senator LORETTA WEINBERG
District 37 (Bergen)
SYNOPSIS
Authorizes Victims of Crime Compensation Office to make payment for relocation expenses of certain witnesses of crimes.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning certain witnesses of crimes and supplementing Title 52 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 10 of P.L.1971, c.317 (C.52:4B-10) or the provisions of section 12 of P.L.1971, c.317, (C.52:4B-12), the Victims of Crime Compensation Office may, upon application, order the payment of relocation expenses for a witness and his or her family.
As used in this section, “witness” means a person who witnessed the commission of any of the offenses listed under section 11 of P.L.1971, c.317 (C.52:4B-11) and who has been threatened as a result.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill authorizes the Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) to make payments for certain expenses of witnesses of crimes.
Under current law, the VCCO compensates victims of violent crime for certain expenses incurred as a result of the crime committed against them, including relocation expenses.
This bill authorizes the VCCO to also pay for the relocation expenses of witnesses of crimes. A witness is defined as a person who witnessed the commission of certain violent crimes and has been threatened as a result. Under current State regulations, the maximum amount permitted for relocation costs is $2,500.