SENATE LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 3700

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 12, 2023

      The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 3700.

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