The Victims Compensation Assistance Program is essential for many victims to stabilize and recover in the wake of a violent crime. The program covers urgent expenses including funeral costs, crime scene cleanup, counseling, and lost support for dependents of homicide victims. It is the payor of last resort, only available to victims who have no other sources to pay for these crime-caused expenses. 

In 2022, the General Assembly enacted Act 77, landmark victim protection legislation which included critical improvements to the law governing the program. While Pennsylvania’s compensation program is now in many ways a national leader, too many crime victims face challenges getting the help they are entitled to due to restrictions that remain in law that are out of step with accepted best practices for victims of violent crime.  

I intend to introduce legislation to amend the Crime Victims Act to further the Commonwealth’s commitment to protecting crime victims. This legislation would ensure vulnerable crime victims are not revictimized via predatory or harassing debt collection while a claim for victim compensation is pending; that they receive adequate help to cover the costs of cleaning a crime scene in their home without risking exposure to biohazardous material; and that they can get urgent help via the program using a range of reliable documentation options, if a police report is not readily available.  

Providing for the needs of crime victims is an essential part of the criminal justice system. This legislation will ensure all victims are protected in the system and receive any compensation which they are owed.

Please join me in cosponsoring this legislation.