The bill amends the eligibility requirements for the crime victims' compensation program in South Dakota. It specifies that a claim for compensation must be filed within one year of the personal injury or death resulting from a crime that was reported to law enforcement within five days of its occurrence, or within five days of when a report could reasonably have been made if immediate reporting was not possible. Additionally, the department may waive the one-year application requirement for good cause shown.

The bill also clarifies the conditions under which a victim may be denied compensation. It states that compensation may be denied if the victim engaged in conduct that substantially contributed to their injury or death, or if they participated in a crime that caused or contributed to their injury or death. However, this does not apply to certain victims, including minors at the time of the offense, victims of specific crimes such as sex offenses, human trafficking, domestic abuse, or elder abuse, as well as those who fail to cooperate with law enforcement or the department. The bill aims to ensure that compensation is fairly awarded while also protecting the integrity of the program.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/24/2025: 23A-28B-25