BILL NUMBER:A11077

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the executive law, in relation to
increasing the time period for filing a claim with the crime victims
board; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration
thereof

PURPOSE:  To reopen a one-year filing period before the New York State
Crime Victims Board for victims of crime and drunk or drug-impaired
drivers.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:  An amendment is made to subdivision 2 of
section 625 of the Executive law.

JUSTIFICATION:  Restitution in the following forms of medical expenses
(doctors, physical therapists, ambulance transportation, emergency
services, etc.), counseling expenses, loss of earnings, property
expenses (replace, repair and/or clean damaged or stolen. property),
funeral expenses, insurance deductibles, incidental expenses (changing
locks, towing fees, and the cost of changing your phone number), and
any expense incurred as a result of a criminal offense are made
available to victims recognized by the New York State Crime Victims
Board (NYS CVB). Victims have up to one year after such incident to
file a claim The NYS CVB, which is a great resource for victims, is
also a great disservice for those who were initially not afforded the
opportunity to utilize assistance from them. This can be attributed to
              

the enactment date of the agency or a general lack of awareness of
such preexisting agency at the time of the incident. As a result, an
unidentified number of individuals have not utilized the NYS CVB
services.

A proposed change within the Executive law shall allow for the
reopening of cases dated up to and including twenty years ago
contingent upon those victims who previously never filed a claim with
the NYS CVB and who have in possession all applicable records and
documentation that demonstrate such prior incident As these victims
continue to suffer emotionally, financially, and physically due to
sustained injuries, lack of money to cover medical expenses and an
inability to permanently work again, it is our belief that these
victims should have an opportunity to claim for due restitution.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:; New bill.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:  To be determined. Fiscal implications shall be
based on the amount of applicants that successfully file a past
incident claim.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after
it shall have become a law and shall expire and be deemed repealed one
year after such effective date; provided that services may continue
and benefits be paid in the event the claimant elects to participate
beyond such date.