This bill amends current law to authorize the Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) to provide compensation to the dependents of deceased victims in cases of strict liability for drug-induced deaths. Specifically, it adds a new provision to the list of circumstances under which the VCCO can order compensation for personal injury or death, allowing for payments in cases where a defendant has been charged with strict liability for drug-induced deaths. This crime holds individuals accountable for the death resulting from the use of controlled dangerous substances they manufactured, distributed, or dispensed.

The bill also includes a deletion of a previous provision related to aggravated assault, reflecting an update to the list of offenses eligible for compensation. The changes aim to ensure that dependents of victims who die as a result of drug-related incidents can receive financial support, thereby addressing the impact of drug-induced fatalities on families. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 52:4B-11