This bill amends the current law regarding compensation from the Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) by allowing exceptions for victims of unreported sexual offenses who have received forensic medical services from a county sexual assault response team. Specifically, it permits compensation applications for offenses such as aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact, or criminal sexual contact, even if these offenses were not reported to law enforcement. The bill stipulates that the application must be made within nine months of the occurrence or reasonable discovery of the offense.

The amendment to Section 18 of P.L.1971, c.317 (C.52:4B-18) introduces new language that allows for compensation in cases where the victim has not reported the offense, provided they have received the necessary forensic medical services. This change aims to support victims who may be hesitant to report such crimes to law enforcement while still ensuring they have access to compensation for their injuries. The bill is set to take effect on the first day of the seventh month following its enactment, with provisions for the Director of the VCCO to take anticipatory administrative actions for its implementation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 52:4B-18