Section 12-25-21.1 - Emergency fund for victims(a) The office may award emergency compensation under this chapter for the: (1) Burial expenses of a victim who dies as a direct result of a violent crime as defined in this chapter; (2) Cost of the crime scene clean up; (3) Relocation expenses ; and (4) Compensation for modifications to a victim's residence necessary to ensure safety.(b) The award for emergency compensation shall be awarded at the sole discretion of the program administrator. The administrator may promulgate rules and regulations to administer the provisions of this section.(c) An award for emergency compensation for burial expenses shall not exceed the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000).(d) An award for emergency compensation for crime scene clean up shall not exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000).(e) An award for emergency compensation for relocation costs shall not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000).(f) An award for expenses associated with reasonable modifications to the victim's residence necessary to ensure victim safety shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) and shall not be awarded in addition to an award for emergency compensation for relocation costs. Further, any ongoing costs or expenses associated with maintaining or monitoring any modification made pursuant to this subsection shall be borne exclusively by the victim.(g) The award for emergency compensation for burial expenses, crime scene clean up, and relocation costs shall be deducted from the final award. In the event the victim is not eligible for an award, the victim shall repay the amount of the emergency award to the fund.(h) Any payments made for the emergency compensation shall be deducted from the final award. In no event shall the final award exceed the maximum award of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000).R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-25-21.1
Amended by 2024 Pub. Laws, ch. 32,§ 1, eff. 5/28/2024.Amended by 2024 Pub. Laws, ch. 31,§ 1, eff. 5/28/2024.Amended by 2016 Pub. Laws, ch. 17, § 1, eff. 5/17/2016.Amended by 2016 Pub. Laws, ch. 15, § 1, eff. 5/17/2016.Amended by 2013 Pub. Laws, ch. 356, § 1, eff. 7/15/2013.Amended by 2013 Pub. Laws, ch. 272, § 1, eff. 7/15/2013. P.L. 1999 , ch. 125, § 3; P.L. 1999 , ch. 128, § 3; P.L. 2011 , ch. 187, § 1; P.L. 2011 , ch. 299, § 1.