The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 609.101, subdivision 2, to include children's advocacy centers as a recognized victim assistance program eligible to receive a portion of certain fines imposed by the court. Under the revised law, when a court sentences an individual for specific violent crimes, it must impose a minimum fine that is 30 percent of the maximum fine allowed. The court is required to allocate 70 percent of this fine to a local victim assistance program, while the remaining 30 percent goes to the general fund. If multiple programs exist in the county, the court can designate which program receives the funds based on various factors, including the nature of the crime and the needs of the programs.

Additionally, the bill clarifies the definition of "victim assistance program" to now include children's advocacy centers, alongside existing programs such as crime victim crisis centers and battered women shelters. This inclusion aims to enhance support for child victims of crime by ensuring that funds collected from fines are directed to services that cater specifically to their needs. The bill emphasizes that the proceeds from these fines must be used to provide direct services to crime victims, thereby reinforcing the commitment to victim assistance in Minnesota.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 609.101