Bill Text: MS SB2265 | 2022 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Mississippi Crime Victims' Compensation Act; remove certain limitations.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2022-02-01 - Died In Committee [SB2265 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2022-SB2265-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2022 Regular Session
To: Judiciary, Division B; Appropriations
By: Senator(s) Parker
Senate Bill 2265
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 99-41-17, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE THE AGE LIMITATION ON CERTAIN VICTIMS OF CHILD SEX ABUSE WHO REPORT THE CRIME TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES; TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF HOURS FOR THE CRIMINALLY INJURIOUS CONDUCT TO BE REPORTED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 99-41-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
99-41-17. (1) Compensation shall not be awarded under this chapter:
(a) Unless the criminally injurious conduct occurred after July 1, 1991;
(b) Unless the claim
has been filed with the director within thirty-six (36) months after the crime
occurred, or in cases of child sexual abuse, within thirty-six (36) months
after the crime was reported to law enforcement or the * * * Department of Child Protection
Services. For good cause, the director may extend the time period allowed
for filing a claim for an additional period not to exceed twelve (12) months;
(c) To a claimant or victim who was the offender or an accomplice to the offender, or, except in cases of children under the age of consent as specified in Section 97-3-65, 97-3-97 or 97-5-23, Mississippi Code of 1972, who encouraged or in any way knowingly participated in criminally injurious conduct;
(d) To another person, if the award would unjustly benefit the offender or accomplice;
(e) Unless the
criminally injurious conduct resulting in injury or death was reported to a law
enforcement officer within * * * one hundred twenty (120)
hours after its occurrence or unless it is found that there was good cause for
the failure to report within such time;
(f) To any claimant or victim when the injury or death occurred while the victim was confined in any federal, state, county or city jail or correctional facility;
(g) If the victim was injured as a result of the operation of a motor vehicle, boat or airplane, unless the vehicle was used by the offender (i) while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, (ii) as a weapon in the deliberate attempt to injure or cause the death of the victim, (iii) in a hit-and-run accident by leaving the scene of an accident as specified in Section 63-3-401, (iv) to flee apprehension by law enforcement as specified in Sections 97-9-72 and 97-9-73, or (v) causes any injury to a child who is in the process of boarding or exiting a school bus in the course of a violation of Section 63-3-615;
(h) If, following the filing of an application, the claimant failed to take further steps as required by the division to support the application within forty-five (45) days of such request made by the director or failed to otherwise cooperate with requests of the director to determine eligibility, unless failure to provide information was beyond the control of the claimant;
(i) To a claimant or victim who, subsequent to the injury for which application is made, is convicted of any felony, and the conviction becomes known to the director;
(j) To any claimant or victim who has been under the actual or constructive supervision of a department of corrections for a felony conviction within five (5) years prior to the injury or death for which application has been made;
(k) To any claimant or victim who, at the time of the criminally injurious conduct upon which the claim for compensation is based, engaged in conduct unrelated to the crime upon which the claim for compensation is based that either was (i) a felony, or (ii) a delinquent act which, if committed by an adult, would constitute a felony;
(l) To any claimant or victim who knowingly furnishes any false or misleading information or knowingly fails or omits to disclose a material fact or circumstance.
(2) Compensation otherwise payable to a claimant shall be diminished to the extent:
(a) That the economic loss is recouped from other sources, including collateral sources; and
(b) Of the degree of responsibility for the cause of injury or death attributable to the victim or claimant.
(3) Upon a finding that the claimant or victim has not fully cooperated with appropriate law enforcement agencies and prosecuting attorneys, an award of compensation may be denied, withdrawn or reduced.
(4) Compensation otherwise payable to a claimant or victim may be denied or reduced to a claimant or victim who, at the time of the crime upon which the claim for compensation is based, was engaging in or attempting to engage in other unlawful activity unrelated to the crime upon which the claim for compensation is based.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2022.
