SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6668

BYSenators Newhouse, Talmadge, Patrick and von Reichbauer; by request of Department of Labor and Industries

Amending crime victims' compensation provisions.

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 30, 1990; January 31, 1990

Majority Report:     That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6668 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

     Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Bailey, Bluechel, Cantu, Gaspard, Hayner, Johnson, Lee, Matson, Moore, Newhouse, Niemi, Owen, Saling, Smith, Talmadge, Warnke, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Susanne Windels (786-7715)

                February 6, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, JANUARY 31, 1990

BACKGROUND:

In 1988, Congress amended the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), requiring that states who receive federal crime victims compensation grants meet new standards to maintain their eligibility.  These standards include (1) extending crime victims' eligibility to Washington State residents, who are victims of any crimes committed in other states which would have made them eligible for compensation had the crime been committed in Washington State; and (2) victims who are injured or killed by a drunk driver (DWI).  Currently, out-of-state victims are not eligible.  DWI victims are eligible only if (1) the offender is fatally injured and the offense is classified as vehicular homicide; or (2) the offender is charged and convicted of vehicular assault.

SUMMARY:

Under the Crime Victims Compensation Program, coverage is extended to (1) victims of any eligible crime in Washington or a Washington resident who is a victim of a crime in any state which does not have crime victims' coverage for that crime; and (2) victims who are injured or killed by a drunk driver.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The act shall take effect October 1, 1990.  The bill is made contingent upon funding in the budget.

Appropriation:  unspecified

Revenue:   none

Fiscal Note:    available

Senate Committee - Testified:   Mark McDermott, Department of Labor and Industries