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2023 Session

Budget Amendments - SB800 (Committee Approved)

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Transfer Mass Violence Care Fund from DCJS

Item 485 #8s

Item 485 #8s

First Year - FY2023 Second Year - FY2024
Central Appropriations
Central Appropriations FY2023 $0 FY2024 $10,000,000 GF

Language
Page 576, line 20, strike "$26,448,901" and insert "$36,448,901".

Page 580, after line 18, insert:

"R. Out of this appropriation, $10,000,000 the second year from the general fund shall be for expending support for victims of mass violence. Any balances remaining at the end of the fiscal year shall carry forward. The Director of the Department of Criminal Justice Services shall convene a work group to assess: (i) gaps in available services for victims of crimes especially mass violence events; (ii) methods of investing the funds to ensure sustainable annual financial returns; (iii) options for determining eligibility for funding, including parameters for who is considered a victim of a mass violence event; (iv) a detailed plan for administering the funds that works holistically with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund; (v) potential categories of victims and witnesses, including families of victims, that are impacted by violence but are not currently eligible for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund including, but not limited to, individuals who have been impacted by mass violence events; and (vi) approaches used in other states to support victims of violence. The purpose of the work group is to identify specific options to help ensure that those impacted by violence, especially mass violence, are able to cover out-of-pocket health and mental health expenses that are connected to the violent event but are not covered by insurance. The work group shall consist of representatives of the: Department of Criminal Justice Services, including the Victim/Witness Grant Program and Financial Services Office; Workers' Compensation Commission and Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund; Department of Planning and Budget; Virginia Retirement System; Department of Treasury; the VTV Family Outreach Foundation; appropriate staff members of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees; and any other stakeholders as appropriate. The work group shall report its findings to the General Assembly by November 1, 2023. The Department of Planning and Budget shall not expend the funds until the 2024 General Assembly adopts a structure for administering the funding based on the findings of the workgroup."



Explanation

(This amendment provides $10.0 million GF the second year for the purpose of expanding support for victims of mass violence. The Director of the Department of Criminal Justice Services shall convene a work group with various state agencies and stakeholders to assess options for providing sustainable coverage for out-of-pocket health and mental health expenses that are connected to a violent event, especially a mass violent event, but are not covered by insurance. The work group shall examine ways to: compliment, but not duplicate, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund; help ensure sustainability of available funding; and fill gaps for in the current availability of services for individuals impacted by violent events. The work group shall report its findings by November 1, 2023 to inform the 2024 General Assembly as it adopts a structure for administering the funds. The funds will not be expended until the structure is adopted.)