ASSEMBLY PUBLIC SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 2255

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 19, 2026

      The Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 2255.

      As reported by the committee, this bill permits an order of payment by the Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) to individuals who have received forensic medical attention by a county Sexual Assault Response Team for an unreported sexual offense. 

      Under current law, an application for payment of compensation from the VCCO requires the applicant to have reported the offense to the police or another appropriate law enforcement agency.  For an applicant who has received forensic medical services from a Sexual Assault Response Team established pursuant to section 6 of P.L.2001, c.81, (C.52:4B-54) for aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact, or criminal sexual contact, the bill removes the requirement of a report to law enforcement.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2026-2027 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.