The bill amends Section 12-25-20 of the General Laws in Chapter 12-25, entitled "Criminal Injuries Compensation," to expand the scope of offenses for which the office may award compensation to victims. The list of offenses includes various forms of assault, sexual offenses, arson, kidnapping, robbery, murder, manslaughter, and specific driving offenses such as driving under the influence and refusal to submit to a chemical test after a collision.
The key change introduced by this bill is the insertion of language that allows for compensation in cases of "serious bodily injury" resulting from a driver's failure to stop, in addition to the existing provision for death. This amendment effectively permits victims of hit and run incidents who suffer serious bodily injuries to recover under the crime victim compensation program. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.
Statutes affected: 7541: 12-25-20