HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

SB 6145

Title:An act relating to designating special assistant attorneys general for the crime victims' compensation program.

Brief Description:Revising provisions for crime victims' compensation.

Sponsors:Senators Roach, Kline, and Strannigan. By request of Department of Labor & Industries.

House committee on Criminal Justice and Corrections

Hearing Date:February 24, 1998. 

Prepared By:Yvonne Walker, Research Analyst (786‑7841). 

Background:The Crime Victims Act of 1973 established Washington=s Crime Victims= Compensation Program (CVCP) to provide benefits to innocent victims of criminal acts.  The Department of Labor and Industries was assigned authority for administering the program because benefits available to crime victims under this program were originally based on benefits paid to injured workers under the Industrial Insurance Act.

Benefits under CVCP include medical and mental health costs, disability payments and benefits for survivors of deceased victims.  All benefits are paid secondary to available insurance resources of the victim.

The Industrial Insurance Program uses private attorneys appointed by the Attorney General=s office in making recoveries for costs incurred by the department and injured workers due to the liability of third parties.  Currently, the CVCP does not have a similar program to help recover money from convicted offenders and third parties.

Summary:The Crime Victims= Compensation program is authorized to designate private attorneys as special assistant attorneys general to pursue civil legal actions against criminal offenders and third parties for costs incurred by injured crime victims and the CVCP.Rules Authority:No. 

Fiscal Note:Available.

Effective Date:Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.