Indiana to expand access to victim compensation fund

INDIANAPOLIS – A brand new state legislation goals to assist get monetary help to extra Hoosiers impacted by violent crime.

Indiana’s sufferer compensation fund, which is supported by a federal grant, helps cowl counseling, funeral companies and different bills for victims of violent crime and their households.

“Eligible bills that we regularly routinely pay out: medical bills as much as about $15,000, funeral and burial prices as much as $5,000; we pay for psychological well being counseling associated to the victimization as much as $3,000,” mentioned Devon McDonald, govt director of the Indiana Prison Justice Institute, which oversees the fund.

Beginning July 1, Home Enrolled Act 1292 permits extra Hoosiers to obtain these funds.

It extends eligibility to any members of the family who incur bills on account of a violent crime as a substitute of solely a direct member of the family. And it’ll additionally cowl further bills, equivalent to crime scene cleanup, alternative home windows and new door locks.

“Among the modifications which have occurred to be extra versatile with right now’s points simply wanted to be addressed,” defined State Rep. Sharon Negele (R-Attica), the laws’s writer.

These modifications within the legislation will solely apply to crimes dedicated on or after July 1 when the legislation takes impact, in accordance with the Indiana Prison Justice Institute.

For many crime victims, it’s a must to apply for help inside two years after the crime was dedicated to be eligible. For extra info, click on right here.