SENATE LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

ASSEMBLY, No. 1707

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 12, 2023

      The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 1707 ACS.

      As reported by the committee, this bill amends the “Criminal Injuries Compensation Act of 1971,” P.L.1971, c.317 (C.52:4B-1 et seq.). The bill establishes a presumption that the Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) will order payment of compensation to an eligible victim of crime. 

      Under current law, the VCCO may order that a payment of compensation be made:

      1)   to or on behalf of the victim of the crime;

      2)   to a person responsible for the victim of crime who has suffered pecuniary loss or incurred expenses in caring for the victim; and

      3)   in cases of the victim’s death, to the victim’s dependents.

      In determining whether to order compensation, the VCCO is authorized to consider any relevant circumstances, including provocation, consent, or the victim’s behavior which directly or indirectly contributed to the victim’s injury or death; the victim’s prior case history; and other relevant matters.  This bill establishes that in considering these circumstances, there is to be a presumption that the VCCO will order payment of compensation.

      As reported by the committee, Assembly Bill No. 1707 ACS is identical to Senate Bill No. 3700, which also was substituted and reported by the committee on this date.