This bill amends the existing 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 these victims even if the offense was not reported to law enforcement, provided that the application is made within nine months of the incident or its reasonable discovery. This change aims to support victims who may be hesitant to report such offenses but still seek medical assistance.

Under current law, compensation applications require that the offense be reported to the police or appropriate law enforcement agency. The bill modifies this requirement, thereby expanding access to compensation for victims of aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact, or criminal sexual contact who have sought forensic medical attention. This legislative change is intended to encourage victims to seek necessary medical care without the added pressure of having to report the crime to law enforcement immediately.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 52:4B-18