Bill Text: NJ A1424 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Authorizes Victims of Crime Compensation Office to make payment for relocation expenses of certain witnesses of crimes.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)

Status: (Passed) 2017-01-09 - Approved P.L.2016, c.97. [A1424 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2016-A1424-Introduced.html

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ASSEMBLY, No. 1424

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

217th LEGISLATURE

 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2016 SESSION

 

 

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman  GORDON M. JOHNSON

District 37 (Bergen)

 

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblyman Benson

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Authorizes Victims of Crime Compensation Office to make payment for relocation expenses of certain witnesses of crimes.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.

  

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 the family of the witness.

     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 pay for relocation expenses incurred by witnesses of violent crimes.

      Under current law, the VCCO compensates victims of violent crimes 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 violent crimes.  The bill defines a witness as a person who witnessed the commission of an enumerated violent crime, such as murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, and sexual assault, and who has been threatened as a result of witnessing the crime.

      Under current State regulations, the maximum amount the VCCO is permitted to pay for relocation costs is $2,500.